Box Score
The Bruins women's volleyball team came out strong in the first two sets, but couldn't finish with a win as Tennessee Wesleyan University stole the last three sets to win the match 3-2 (25-19, 25-23, 16-25, 21-25, 12-15). "Despite the loss, this might have been our best match of the year," coach Vickie Denny said.
In the preseason, the Bruins lost to TWU 3-0. Though the result was still a loss tonight the Bruins showed how much they have improved in such a short time.
The high energy began on the court in the opening set. The score stayed close and both teams were tied up at 8-8. After the Bulldogs took a 10-9 lead, Kendra Jeffcott threw a block followed the by a kill to give the Bruins the ball. Lauren Johnson then served four straight points for the Bruins (including two aces) to give the Bruins the lead 13-11. The Bulldogs called a time out and got the ball back, but the Bruins had the momentum on their side and refused to let up. The Bruins hard offense led by Jeffcott with help from Kirstin Christmas and Erin Jarvis resulted in more kills and blocks. The Bulldogs frantically tried to stay alive but to no avail as the Bruins won 25-19.
In the second set, the Bruins capitalized off of their momentum from their first set win. They took an early lead of 5-2 but then gave up five points in a row allowing the Bulldogs to steal the lead 7-5. After a couple dramatic volleys filled with excitement, the Bruins tied up the game at 13-13. Christmas hit a couple key kills and Gaston and Jarvis threw a solid block. But it looked like it wasn't going to be enough. The Bruins struggled to communicate and soon were down 19-16 until a couple kills from Jarvis and Jeffcott allowed the Bruins to tie the score 20-20. The Bruins closed out the set strong to win 25-23.
Both teams took a break to regroup, and the Bulldogs were able to make some key adjustments which showed as the teams began the third set. Both teams went back and forth in the early goings as they were tied 8-8. From there, things started to break down for the Bruins as the couldn't seem to get points on the board. The Bulldogs went up 13-9. Kirstin Christmas got a kill but then the Bulldogs got the ball back and before you could blink they had a 9-point lead against the bruins 20-11. The Bruins mounted a short comeback but couldn't overtake the Bulldogs as TWU took the third set 25-16.
"I felt the energy was good," Bruins Kendra Jeffcott said. "But sometimes you just need that extra push which I guess we didn't have."
Both teams looked a little tired to start out in the fourth set. With the game tied 10-10 the Bruins still struggled to find their momentum. The Bulldogs countered by going on a run and building the lead to 21-17. The Bruins got a spark when Rachel Tubbs served four in a row bringing the Bruins to a one-point deficit 22-21. The Bulldogs called a time out. The home crowd at the Davis Field House was in unison as they clapped, stomped and cheered hoping the Bruins could close out the match. But it was the Bulldogs who came out with a vengeance and blocked everything the Bruins hit their way winning the set 25-21.
"Over the break they made some great changes," Coach Vickie Denny said. "We have a couple weaknesses on defense and they were able to capitalize on that."
In the fifth and final set of the night the Bruins couldn't seem to put hits past the Bulldog blockers as TWU had an answer for every play. Still, the Bruins stayed close as Kendra Jeffcott continued to play smart and Erin Jarvis got a kill, bringing the Bruins close to taking the lead at 12-11. Sensing that victory was within their grasp, the crowd tried to rally the Bruins but again the Bulldogs refused to let up as they completed the comeback to win the 5th set 15-12 and the match 3-2.
"Tonight was a good team effort and we were all encouraging each other after plays," Kendra Jeffcott said. "I'm hoping that can carry over to tomorrow."
Kendra Jeffcott led the team with 17 kills and 5 blocks on the night while Rachel Tubbs led the team with 39 assists. The team is now 13-6 on the season. Next up, the Bruins will play a tri-match with Hiwassee College and Bluefield College tomorrow afternoon in Bluefield, Virginia.
