SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Behind a second-set comeback victory, the Wofford volleyball team secured a straight-set triumph in its home conference opener against the Furman Paladins (25-20, 27-25, 25-17) Thursday night in the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium. The Terriers extended their winning streak to eight matches, improving to 12-2 (3-0 SoCon). Furman falls to 11-3 (2-1 SoCon).
 
Wofford has opened Southern Conference play with three consecutive sweeps for the first time in program history. The eight-match win streak is the longest by the Terriers since the 2009 season during which they posted 12 wins in a row. This is Wofford's fourth consecutive victory over the Paladins, the longest Terrier streak in series history.
 
Furman fought hard against Wofford as the squads tied one another in aces (5-5), but Wofford utilized a stout blocking effort (9-6) and dished 47 assists to Furman's 28. The Terriers also scooped significantly more digs, 72 to 56. Efficiency again proved a difference, as Wofford hit 100 points better with a .212 clip to Furman's .112 mark.
 
"The defense has been out of this world recently," said Sarah Barham of the team's defensive success. "Abbey Richman has been killing it; she's defensive player of the week. Not only are they keeping balls off the floor, but they're digging to target, and it makes it really frustrating for the other team. It keeps the play going, and we're conditioned well, so we do well with it."
 
The Terrier offense was led by a pair with double-digit kills, as Sarah Barham recorded 12 alongside Sarah MacLean's 10. Mary Emily Morgan was just shy with nine. Barham and MacLean each recorded only two errors, hitting .526 and .421, respectively.
 
Barham also led the way at the net with seven blocks, including four solo efforts. Her three block assists give her 251 for her career, moving her into fifth place on Wofford's all-time leaderboard as she jumps Cindy Vinyard.
 
Emily Hodsdon paced the offense with 23 assists. Taylor Pecht added 20 of her own alongside 11 digs to notch her second double-double. The freshman made her birthday even more memorable by adding a team-best three aces.
 
"Taylor was really motivated today," said associate head coach Ladislav Lelkes of the freshman's big day. "It's always special to play on your birthday, and she was on a mission. She wanted to show off what she's capable of, and she did great."
 
Abbey Richman tallied 23 digs, her third-straight match recording 20 or more. This pushes her double-digit streak to 35 matches. Mary Emily Morgan added 12 digs as well.
 
Set one set a tone for the match early, as the teams traded plenty of blows, but a Mary Emily Morgan kill tied the match at eight apiece. That kill started a five-point swing for the Terriers, as Morgan tallied a pair of kills to precede a Sarah Barham kill. Barham then tag-teamed a block with Annemarie Rakoski, who ended the run with a kill for a 12-8 Terrier lead. But Furman stayed on Wofford's heels, pulling within 21-19 late. However, a pair of Paladin errors set up Sarah MacLean, whose kill created set point. Though Furman recorded a kill to stay alive, it was short lived as Millie Loehr put home the set's winning point, 25-20.
 
Set two was more of the same as the sides jostled for control. This set saw 10 total ties and four lead changes. The Paladins would hold an advantage late, 19-15, but Wofford responded with a four-point swing to pull even. However, Furman would pull back in front and scored back-to-back points to reach set point, 24-22. But Addison Foote kept Wofford alive with a kill, and the Terrier defense forced an attack error to tie the match 24-24. Furman pulled back ahead 25-24, but the tenacious Terriers continued to fight with a Mary Emily Morgan kill to even the affair once more. A Sarah Barham block swung set point to Wofford, and a Furman attack error sealed the comeback in set two, 27-25, in favor of the Terriers.
 
Set three was another see-saw battle, featuring nine total ties and five lead changes. With the match tied 16-16, Addison Foote took charge to deliver a kill and ace to push Wofford ahead, 18-16. Furman responded to pull within a point, 18-17, but that would be the last time the Paladins added to the scoreboard. Ella Schomer sent home a kill, setting up Laney Klika on the service line. The freshman delivered from there, helping orchestrate a seven-point Terrier run to ice the contest. The run featured three blocks by Sarah Barham and three kills by Mary Emily Morgan, one of which was the match-winner, capping the 25-17 third set and the Terrier sweep.
 
"I just knew I had to go in and do my job," said Klika of her match-ending service run. "Lynze (Roos) tells me my job is to go in and put a good serve in, get them out of system. And I just knew I had to go in and do that for my team. It was a tight game, and I just had to go do my job and play good defense. I feel like I have a lot of great players behind me, and I just want to do it for them."
 
Wofford remains at home for another match tomorrow against Samford. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m. against the Bulldogs inside the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.