The Lady Bruins pushed their winning streak to nine in a row as the team swept both Morris College and Columbia College in three sets each on Saturday afternoon in the Davis Field House. In both matches, Coach Denny looked to her reserve players and the team responded with two decisive wins.
The Bruins took the court first against the Hornets of Morris College. Although the first set began with a point to the Hornets, the Bruins quickly answered and kept the lead. Throughout the game, Jordan Anderson, Abby Plew, and Laura Gaston dominated the front line for the team. The Bruins also covered their holes very well. Although the Hornets frequently sent over free balls, the Bruins were ready. The Hornets called a timeout at 19-8, which momentarily threw the Bruins off their run. However, despite a few hits in the net, the Bruins continued to dominate the game, ending the first set with a score of 25-13.
The second set progressed more quickly than the first. The Bruins lost serve a mere six times, five of which were the result of missed serves. The set was characterized by great kills from Gaston, beautiful sets by Brittany Annand, and digs from Beaver as the Bruins won handily in set two 25-7.
The third and final set belonged to the Bruins. Gaston won the first point of the set with a strong kill, and the Bruins did not lose the lead again. Although there were many serving errors this set, the team racked up a total of seven aces in the third set alone. Jamie Grimes stung the Hornets with kill after kill. Saleena Walker finished the game with a five-point serving streak, ending the set 25-10 and completing the sweep 3-0.
In the second match of the day, the Lady Bruins played the Columbia College Koalas. From the beginning of the set, the Bruins controlled the court. Gaston continued to kill the ball throughout the game, successfully winning points for the team. Anderson also held a very strong presence as a central hitter and blocker. Anderson finished the opening set with a powerful kill as the Bruins won 25-12.
The second set began with both teams scrambling. The volleys were long and competitive. Abby Plew and Jamie Grimes had multiple good hits between the two of them. Although the Koalas fought back, the Bruins maintained the lead. Beaver started off the game with a six-point serving streak; Walker followed with a five-point serving streak and the Bruins continued to roll as the team won set two convincingly 25-9.
The Koalas were a well-matched opponent for the Bruins although the score does not reflect it. There were many long volleys with good hits and digs on both sides. However, the Bruins were able to finish just a little bit better. Plew and Gaston both had very strong kills, and Beaver's serving streak reached 11 points, taking the score 12-2 early in the third set. Again, Anderson held a strong presence in the front line. The game ended 25-7 with an ace from Annand as the Bruins defeated Columbia College 3-0.
Over the course of the two matches, the Bruins were led in kills by Abby Plew, who had a total of 21 kills for the day. Brooke Beaver scored nine of the day's 26 serving aces, as well as protected the serve with 26 digs. Throughout the two matches, only twice did the Bruins not hold the lead.
"We wanted to be able to give some of our bench people playing time. They got the opportunity and they performed well," Bruins Head Coach Vickie Denny said. "I just thought it was a great opportunity to give the whole day to some of our players who haven't seen a lot of playing time."
With the win, the Bruins improve to 25-5 on the season. The Bruins will begin the NCCAA DII South Regional Tournament next weekend, but before the tournament, the Bruins will play Columbia College again on Tuesday night in Columbia South Carolina.
