Box Score
In a memorable season full of ups and downs, the Lady Bruins volleyball team had their season come to an end on Friday with a 3-2 loss to #8 seeded Grace Bible College.
"It was a great final match for us," Coach Denny said. "We learned a lot coming to the national tournament this year and it was a great chance for us to learn and build for next year."
The Bruins came into the NCCAA DII National Tournament as the #5 seed, but dropped both of their opening pool play matches to #4 Randall University and #1 Maranatha Baptist University on Thursday. The team was set for one final match as they took the court against the Grace Bible College Tigers.
In the opening set, the Bruins came out strong behind the play of their seniors as Kendra Jeffcott and Katelyn MacDowell put together kills to help the team build an early 8-2 lead. After the Tigers called a timeout, the Bruins picked up where they left off and pushed the lead to 12-2. Erin Jarvis provided a great serving attack for the team as the Bruins won the first set handily 25-11.
Both teams traded points early on in the second set with neither able to build a large lead. MacDowell came up with a big kill for the Bruins, but the Tigers responded with back to back points to regain the lead. The Bruins eventually went up 12-9 courtesy of kills by Kendra Jeffcott and Kirstin Christmas. From there, the Tigers went on a run to regain the lead. Back and forth the two teams went as the match was tied 24-24. The Tigers put together two strong kills as they took the 2nd set 26-24.
The Tigers continued to ride their momentum into the third set as they quickly jumped out to a 5-1 lead. Erin Jarvis came up with a kill to stop the run, but the Tigers continued to pressure the Bruins and gain points. Jarvis again provided the spark offensively for the Bruins as the team scored four straight points to trail 15-13. But the Tigers went on another run of their own and the Bruins couldn't recover as they fell 25-21 in the third set.
With their backs against the wall, the Bruins came out strong in the 4th set. Kirstin Christmas helped to fuel the offensive attack with several kills on offense combined with great defensive play as the Bruins kept the lead 11-6. The team seemed to find their rhythm as they made great serves and had good play at the net to stretch their lead. A big kill by Christmas sent the match to a 5th and final set as the Bruins won the 4th set 25-16.
The Bruins continued to ride their momentum as they came out on fire in the final set to build an 8-1 lead. After a Tigers timeout, GBC went on a run to battle all the way back and tie the game 11-11. With the match on the line, the Bruins fought hard with each serve. But it wasn't meant to be as the Tigers emerged victorious with a 15-13 win in the final set and a 3-2 match win.
"These ladies are what Bruins volleyball is all about," Coach Denny said. "They have set a nice foundation and they are players who work hard, do well in the classroom and love the Lord. They will always be a very special group to me."
With the loss, the Lady Bruins finish their inaugural season at 27-13. Although the team is disappointed with their results at nationals, the Lady Bruins exceeded many expectations for a first year program. Many will look back on the highlights of the season including Coach Denny's 1,000th career win and the Lady Bruins capturing their first-ever NCCAA DII South Region Championship. Above all, these Lady Bruins have laid a solid foundation of excellence and hard work for future teams. They will always be remembered as our first Bruins.
