Box Score
The Bob Jones University Bruins volleyball team came out with a bang in their inaugural season opener Friday night as they took on Toccoa Falls College and soundly defeated them in three straight sets (25-20, 25-18, 25-10).
 
"We had a good serve-receive game tonight," Coach Vickie Denny said. "We started off a little shaky, but once we got into the flow of the game the girls did a great job."
 
The home crowd was loud and proud as they cheered on their Bruins in the opening match of the inaugural volleyball season. Both the Bruins and the Eagles struggled in the first set with missed hits and other nervous mistakes, neither team succeeding much on offense. Then Rachel Tubbs provided a spark and served six points giving the Bruins their much-needed lead of 10-5. At the midway point of the match the Bruins were a much more confident team. With solid hitting by Laura Gaston and a couple key aces by Saleena Walker the Bruins gained momentum and capitalized on the Eagles mistakes to win the first match 25-20. The Bruin faithful of over 1,300 fans erupted in full voice.
  
"We had a great crowd," Rachel Tubbs said. "But having a players mentality you just have to zone out everything except the game, and that's just what we did."
 
By the second set both teams had shook off their nerves and the score went back and forth. The Bruins were down 8-10, but came back and took the lead 17-11 with Tubbs on another serving streak. Though the Eagles mounted a late rally, the Bruins came out on top again winning the second set 25-18.
 
At the start of the third, Tubbs continued to show dominance giving the Bruins a 5-0 lead. But then the play turned scrappy as both teams failed to complete plays. Eventually the Bruins got back into their swing and built a 17-5 lead. Kendra Jeffcott put an exclaimation kill on the win as the Bruins defeated the Eagles in the final set 25-10.
  
"We've got to enjoy the moment, celebrate the victory and get a good night's rest to come back tomorrow ready to face Point University," Coach Denny said.
 
Rachel Tubbs led the Bruins with 21 assists while the duo of Erin Jarvis and Kirstin Christmas combined for 20 kills. The historic win is one that the team will remember for years to come. Next up, the Bruins will play two matches on Saturday as they play Point University at 12pm and Spartanburg Methodist College at 4pm.