The Covenant volleyball team officially clinched a spot in next month's USA South tournament with a pair of victories on Saturday. Cora Schroeder tallied her sixth double-double of the year in Saturday's first match against Meredith to lead Covenant to a 3-1 (25-12, 22-25, 25-14, 25-20) victory. Covenant then used 17 kills from Chelsea VanDyk to defeat Methodist 3-1 (18-25, 25-22, 25-28, 25-20).
The wins clinched Covenant's spot in the conference tournament in Martinsville, Va., on November 8-9. The Lady Scots (16-10, 9-5 USA South) currently sit in third in the South Division standings.
Schroeder accumulated a match-high 14 kills to go along with 10 digs in the the day's first match against Meredith. The sophomore also added five service aces.
VanDyk had 12 kills, while Caroline Cone added 10 kills and eight digs. Stephanie Kirkpatrick recorded her 12th double-double of the season with 43 assists and 10 digs. Estes Carlson led the Covenant defense with 19 digs.
As a team, Covenant attacked at a .261 clip with 52 kills. The Lady Scots also out-dug the Avenging Angels 69-65.
Covenant cruised in the opening set as they gained an early lead and then held a 14-point edge twice during the game. Meredith responded with a second set victory to knot the match at 1-1. The third set was close before Covenant broke out to an 18-10 lead as the Lady Scots took a 2-1 match lead.
In the fourth set, Covenant fell behind before rallying. Trailing 16-13, the Lady Scots rattled off seven straight points thanks to kills from Schroeder and Cone mixed in with a service ace from Carlson. Covenant outscored Meredith 12-4 in the set's final 16 points to earn the victory.
In the second match of the day, Covenant dropped the opening set to Methodist before winning three straight to secure the victory.
VanDyk had 17 kills, five solo blocks and nine block assists. Hannah Rogers added 13 kills and six digs while Kirkpatrick put together another solid performance with 45 assists and 15 digs for her 13th double-double of the year.
Additionally, Covenant received 11 kills and nine digs from Schroeder. Carlson and Anna Swain compiled 14 and 13 digs, respectively.
After Methodist claimed the opening game, Covenant had to rally in the second set to knot the match at 1-1. Covenant trailed 21-18 before scoring seven of the final eight points of the second game with Rogers accumulating three kills during that stretch.
The Lady Scots would lead almost throughout the third set and then never trailed during the fourth game to take both and the match.
Covenant had a steady attack as they hit .196 with 52 kills, compared to Methodist's 46, while also out-digging the Monarchs 68-62.
The Lady Scots will play their final home regular season contest on Tuesday against former conference foe Agnes Scott at 7 p.m. inside Barnes Physical Education Center. Senior Night will take place beforehand as Covenant will recognize Estes Carlson.