Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
The Lady Bruins volleyball team had their 8-game winning streak snapped on Saturday as the team fell in back-to-back matches against Bridgewater College (NCAA DIII) and William Peace University (NCAA DIII). 

"This was a good day for us against two very solid programs," Head Coach Vickie Denny said. "The results weren't what we were looking for but we were competitive in both matches and the play demonstrated the areas we still need to work on as we head into regionals next week." 

The Bruins came into the tri-match on Saturday with a 23-8 record as the team had been on a dominant run in previous matches including a 3-0 win over Wesleyan College on Thursday night. The Bruins would be in for a tough test as they traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina to compete against two NCAA DIII schools. Their first opponent would be the Bridgewater College Eagles who came into the match with a 19-9 record. 

In the opening set, the Bruins came out strong behind the serving of Lauren Johnson as they built a 5-2 lead. The Eagles responded with a 5-0 run to regain the lead. The two teams went back and forth but the Eagles slowly began to pull away. Kendra Jeffcott fueled a comeback for the Bruins with back to back kills as the team trailed 17-20. The Eagles answered as they held off the rally to close out the first set with a 25-21 win over BJU. 

The Bruins again built a lead from the start as Lauren Johnson provided a good serving attack to help the team go up 5-1. The Bruins continued to maintain their advantage as Kirstin Christmas and Kendra Jeffcott provided kills and the team stood strong defensively. But the Eagles again went on another run as they battled all the way back to overtake the Bruins 15-13. From there, the Eagles continued to ride momentum as they held on for a 25-16 win in the second set. 

Both teams were neck and neck in the third set as they traded points from the beginning to remain tied in the early stages. The Eagles then went on an 8-0 run to take a 14-6 lead as it looked like the match was slipping away for the Bruins. The team tried to mount a late rally, but the lead was too much to overcome as the Bruins fell 18-25 in the third set and lost the match 0-3. 

In the second match of the day, the Bruins battled the Pacers of William Peace University. The Pacers entered the match with a 22-7 record including a 4-game winning streak. As the match began, the Pacers came storming out to build a 7-2 lead. The Bruins were finding answers, but points were few and far between as the Pacers continued to stretch the lead. After a Bruins timeout, the Pacers worked their way to set point as they led 24-13. The Bruins then came storming back being the killing attack of Kirstin Christmas as the freshman recorded six kills down the final stretch as the team tied the Pacers 24-24. The Pacers were taken back, but regrouped to get two straight points and win the set 26-24. 

As the second set began, the Bruins again struggled out of the gate as they fell behind 2-6. But again Christmas and Jeffcott provided the offensive spark as the team battled back into the set. The Pacers then went on a 6-0 run and never looked back as William Peace won the second set 25-16. 

In the third and final set, the Bruins continued to play hard as the team stayed even throughout the opening stages. After a kill by Saleena Walker, the Bruins were tied at 11-11 with the Pacers. Both teams traded points, but the Pacers built the lead and looked to finish off the Bruins. But BJU wouldn't be put away easily as the team came on an another impressive comeback to take a 23-22 lead. But unfortunately it wasn't enough as the Pacers finished off the Bruins 25-23 to win the match 3-0. 

Kirstin Christmas led the Bruins with 29 kills and 41 digs on the day as the Bruins fell to 23-10 on the season. Next up, the Bruins will compete in the NCCAA DII South Region playoffs next week at Pensacola Christian College.