George Hits Century Mark, Garnet Roll in Maryland
CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Senior outside hitter Erica George became the first Swarthmore volleyball player to accumulate 1,000 career kills and Garnet head coach Harleigh Leach won her 50th game as Swarthmore rolled to a 3-0 victory at Washington (Md.) in Centennial Conference volleyball action Tuesday night. The Garnet (9-3, 2-0 CC) earned their second conference victory of the season by scores of 30-23, 30-25, 30-28.
George led Swarthmore with a game-high 17 kills, eclipsing the 1,000-kill mark on the first point of the second game. She now has 1,012 career kills - a school record, ranking just outside the top 25 all-time in Centennial history.
Freshman Johanna Bond led Swarthmore with 14 digs while sophomore libero Erin Heaney put up 10 digs. Freshman setter Kearney Bangs led the Garnet offense with 33 assists and five service aces.
Junior middle blocker Karen Berk led the Garnet defense with six blocks, bring her career total to 277 (good for 17th all time in Centennial history).
Leach's overall coaching record stands at 50-75, making her the most successful volleyball coach at the school. In just four-plus seasons, she has led the Garnet a Centennial playoff berth (first-ever), the 2005 Greyhound Premier Invitational Championship, and its best showing at the Seven Sisters Championship. Her current squad is now 9-3 overall, the best 12-game start in school history.
The Garnet resume Centennial play on Saturday, Sept. 23 when they travel to Westminster, Md. to face McDaniel at 1:00 p.m.