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The Bob Jones University Bruins volleyball team swept both matches on Friday afternoon as the team defeated #5 seeded Johnson University of Florida 3-0 and #4 Pensacola Christian College 3-0 in the pool play round of the NCCAA DII South Regional Tournament.
"Both of these matches were good for us," Bruins Head Coach Vickie Denny said. "Both of our opponents played excellent defense which forced us to have to play better to come away with the wins."
The Bruins entered the regionals as the tournament's #1 seed after finishing the season with an undefeated region record. Pensacola Christian College served as the tournament host as the Bruins were set for group play. In the first match, the Bruins would be slated against Johnson University of Florida. The Bruins and Suns squared off twice in the regular season, with the Bruins winning both matches 3-0.
In the opening set, the Bruins came out strong with a good serving and killing attack. Erin Jarvis came up with several strong kills as the Bruins offense was gaining momentum. The Suns couldn't recover as BJU took the first set 25-11.
The Suns looked to even the match in the second set and took advantage of several bursts of offensive output as the two teams remained neck and neck. Rachel Tubbs helped the Bruins string together a good run as the team stretched their lead. BJU held off a late Suns rally to take the 2nd set 25-17.
With the sweep within reach, the Bruins came out strong looking to take the match. Kirstin Christmas provided a strong defensive effort for the team with 22 digs. She also contributed 8 kills as the Bruins attack edged closer to the win. Again the Suns mounted one last effort but it wasn't enough as the Bruins took the final set 25-17 and the match 3-0.
After a break, the Bruins took the court again for a matchup against #4 seeded Pensacola Christian College. With the Eagles playing on their home court, the Bruins knew they would have a challenge in coming away with the victory. The Bruins and Eagles met twice in the regular season with BJU winning both matches.
In the opening set, the Bruins and Eagles exchanged short runs with neither able to gain a large lead. The Bruins serve receive and serving attack was the story of the match as the team was able to put together a good offensive flow for points. Kendra Jeffcott provided the kill touch as she hammered home several points in the opening set to give the Bruins a 25-14 win.
The Bruins kept their momentum in the 2nd set, but the Eagles responded with several kills of their own to keep the score close. Still, the Bruins offense again found its rhythm to take the upper hand. The Eagles rallied but it wasn't enough as the Bruins held on for a 25-21 win.
As the final set began, the Eagles were trying desperately to get back into the match and went on a tear as the jumped out to a lead. The Bruins tried to claw their way back into the game, but each point for the Bruins was met by multiple points for the Eagles as PCC looked to take the set. Kendra Jeffcott then stepped up to the line for the serve and sparked a rally with several aces as the Bruins came roaring back to take the set 25-19 and the match 3-0.
"We had several key kills in that final set and great defensive play as well," Coach Denny said. "It was our best comeback of the season against the home team."
The Bruins 182 digs on the day to go along with 71 kills. Kirsten Christmas led the Bruins with 17 kills while playing strong defensively as well. With the wins, the Bruins will move out of group play and set themselves up well for the final round of the tournament tomorrow. In the final day of the regionals, the teams will be re-seeded and play a single elimination round. The Bruins will play at 1 p.m. (EST) against the winner of Toccoa Falls College and Johnson University of Florida.
