Box Score
Five set nail-biters have become the norm for the Bruins volleyball team this 2017 season. For the 9th time this year, the Lady Bruins went the distance but the team found a way to capture a 3-2 victory over Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Georgia.
"I was proud of our team for the coming back after being down 2-1," Bruins Head Coach Vickie Denny said. "Several different players stepped up big for us tonight to get the W."
The Bruins and Barons met earlier in the season with Brewton-Parker taking a 3-2 win in Greenville. The Bruins were fresh off a tough loss on Tuesday night to Belmont Abbey College.
In the opening set, Olivia Vosburgh opened up the scoring for the Bruins with six straight points. The Barons fought back as the two teams battled to a 15-15 tie. Key blocks at the net by Katherine Ring and some big kills down the stretch by Laura Gaston helped the Bruins take the first set 25-21.
The Barons came back strong in the second set but the Bruins kept pace as the score remained close. Eventually, the Bruins built a slim 23-21 advantage but communication errors allowed the Barons to come back and tie the set at 24-24. A controversial call allowed the Barons to take the 25-24 edge and then BPC took the set as a defensive lapse by the Bruins ended the second set 26-24 in favor of Brewton-Parker College. The match was tied 1-1.
Brewton-Parker kept up the momentum in the third set as they jumped out to an early lead. The Bruins had difficulty finding their rhythm which the Barons took advantage of as they went on to win the set 25-17.
As the fourth set began, Coach Denny made a switch in the lineup which helped spark a rally as Laura Gaston and Marjorie Elliott came up with big kills to give the Bruins the lead. The Barons were taken back by the Bruins great play and couldn't recover as BJU won handily in set four 25-11 to send the match into a fifth and final set.
Lauren Johnson scored seven straight points to open the final set including three aces as the Bruins took an early lead. Despite the Barons attempts at a comeback, the Bruins kept up the pressure to close out the fifth set 15-5 and win the match 3-2.
Laura Gaston led the Bruins with 9 kills while Marjorie Elliott had 7. On the defensive side, Katherine Ring had 6 solo blocks and 4 assist blocks. Saleena Walker had 27 digs on the night and Lauren Johnson finished with four aces.
With the win, the Bruins improve to 13-12 on the season. Next up, the team will be on the road Friday and Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida.
