Box Score
Though both teams share the Bruins name, only one came out with a growl on Friday night as the Bob Jones University Bruins swept the Piedmont International University Bruins in three sets (25-5, 25-9, 25-9) stretching their winning streak to 8 matches in a row.
"Our goal against Piedmont was to be able to play everybody," coach Vickie Denny said. "Get an early lead, get some subs in and get some game experience for the bench which is important."
The Bruin faithful were out in full voice as over 1,100 fans packed into the Davis Field House. "Coach always stresses to us energy," Setter Olivia Vosburgh said. "The crowd is great, but we don't want to rely on the crowd to give us energy. We have to do that together as a team."
In the first set BJU wasted no time taking a lead of 11-4 with consistent serving. Kirstin Christmas had some decisive kills along with Erin Jarvis as the team continued to stretch their lead. The rest of the match the possession went back and forth a little bit until Lauren Johnson hit over 10 serves in a row to help BJU capture the first set 25-5.
The second and third sets were so similar; they even ended in the same score. The crowd was introduced to a new lineup as players took the court that hadn't seen as much playing time this season.
"You never know who might go down with an injury or who may need to step up and take a spot later in the season," Head Coach Vickie Denny said. "So being able to get those on the bench some playing time in front of such a big crowd was great for us."
It seemed like the second set might be a little slower, but then Saleena Walker served ten in a row to take the lead and bring BJU up 12-4. Katelyn MacDowell had some dominant net play, and BJU was communicating well on the court. Soon the score was 20-9, and Emily Wynn provided the final exclamation point as she served 5 in a row to win the set 25-9.
In the third set, the Bruins came out with good energy again right from the start. Laura Gaston had two powerful kills right at the beginning, but then it seemed the teams hit a lull. PIU played a good defense and hit the ball back over time and time again. The score was 12-7 when Michaela McCants had a couple crucial kills followed by a great round of serving by Emily Wynn giving BJU a lead of 10 points. A couple serves later it was match point for BJU 24-8; however after a good serve by Amber Smith, a long and dramatic volley ensued which ended with BJU losing the point. The team refused to be denied on the next serve as BJU won the set 25-9.
"I thought our subs did great," coach Denny said. "It was a very positive night for us."
Kirstin Christmas led the team with 7 kills while Katelyn MacDowell and Michaela McCants finished with 6 a piece. Olivia Vosburgh ended the night with 17 assists. With the win, the Bruins improve to 9-2 on the season. The team will be back home again on Tuesday night in back to back matches against Converse College and Johnson and Wales University.
"It's definitely going to be a higher level of volleyball, and we're looking forward to the challenge," coach Denny said.
