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The Lady Bruins volleyball team defeated Toccoa Falls College and Pensacola Christian College on Saturday to capture their first NCCAA DII South Region Championship.
"It was a great team effort today," Bruins Coach Vickie Denny said. "Different players stepped up at different times and we had great contributions from our bench."
In just their first season of intercollegiate competition, the Lady Bruins defied all expectations as the team came together to post a 23-10 regular season record. Even more impressive was the way the team burst onto the South Region scene as the Bruins won every region match they played this season. But the team wanted more as they entered the region playoffs with the #1 seed. After back-to-back wins in the pool play round, the Bruins entered Saturday just two wins away from their first region title.
The Screaming Eagles would matchup with the Bruins in the semi-final round. In the first set, the Bruins jumped out to an early lead as Rachel Tubbs assisted Erin Jarvis and Kendra Jeffcott for kills. Still, the Eagles refused to back down and came up with points of their own to stay in the match. But the Bruins offense again found its rhythm as the team took the first set 25-20.
In the second set, the Bruins momentum was in full swing as they again jumped out to an early lead. The Eagles couldn't find any answers to the Bruins offensive attack as BJU won the second set handily 25-10.
The third set would be a different story as the Screaming Eagles didn't go down without a fight and charged out to a 10-1 lead over the Bruins. The Bruins struggled as several errors and miscues allowed TFC to continue to have the upper hand. Coach Denny looked to her bench and subbed in Emily Wynn for the serve. Wynn provided a strong serving attack and the Bruins defense did well in returning kill attempts as they started to climb back into the match. Jeffcott powered the Bruins killing attack as the Bruins stormed back to overtake the Eagles and win the set 25-21 and the match 3-0. The win advanced the Bruins to the region championship game.
In the other semi-final match, the Pensacola Christian College Eagles upset Trinity College to setup a rematch of Friday night's opening round. The Eagles carried momentum into the championship match and hoped to upset another top region team in front of their home crowd.
Neither team could establish the lead in the opening set as both teams traded points early on. Kendra Jeffcott came up with a big block which sparked the Bruins defensive play as the team went on a run to take the first set 25-17.
The Eagles would not be denied in the second set as they came roaring out of the gate to take the lead. Despite several runs by the Bruins, the team couldn't overtake Pensacola as the Eagles held off the Bruins to win the set 25-23.
But momentum was quickly changed back as the Bruins came out determined to win the third set. Despite both teams remaining close in the early stages, Kendra Jeffcott went on a serving streak to help the Bruins get a comfortable lead. Erin Jarvis and Kirstin Christmas provided the killing attack as the Bruins won 25-19.
With the region title within their grasp, the Bruins came out strong with a strong offensive flow to take the early lead. But sensing the title was slipping away, the Eagles matched the Bruins point for point to keep the set close. Rachel Tubbs again provided the setting touch as her assists fed the Bruins attacking front as they closed in on the win. Saleena Walker provided the emphatic kill as the Bruins rushed the court in celebration as they captured their first region title.
"We're very proud of our team," Coach Denny said. "All the teams at regionals were playing some of their best which made for a competitive tournament. We're very thankful for the many fans who traveled to show their support for us this weekend."
With the win, the Bruins move to 27-10 on the season and will move on next to compete in the NCCAA DII National Tournament beginning November 17 in Kissimmee, Florida.
