The Bruins volleyball program made history on Saturday as the team swept three-time defending champion Maranatha Baptist University to capture their first NCCAA DII National Championship. The Lady Bruins won in straight sets 29-27, 25-17, 25-19. 

"God did exceedingly abundantly above what we could ask or think," Bruins Head Coach Vickie Denny said. "This team was so united and really loved one another and that showed on the court this year. This group was working together as one body and were able to do something special." 

The Bruins came into the championship game on the heels of a five-set thriller on Friday night as they edged #3 Geneva College. The Sabercats defeated #4 Emmaus Bible College to make it back to the championship match as they looked to win their fourth straight. All season long, these two teams had been on a crash course towards one another with one team going to walk off the court a champion. 

In the opening set, the Bruins jumped out to an early lead thanks to aces by Brooke Beaver and Jordan Anderson. Laura Gaston had a pair of kills in the run as the Bruins led 7-3. The defending champs weren't going to back down easily as MBU roared back with an 8-0 run to take an 11-7 lead.

After a timeout, the Bruins were able to close the gap as back to back kills by Beaver helped the Bruins tie the set 12-12. From there, both teams went back and forth with neither taking a sizable lead. After tying 22-22, Allyson Brimer had a kill for the Sabercats followed by an attack error by the Bruins as MBU led 24-22 looking to close out the set. The Bruins had other plans as a kill by Bates helped the team battle back to tie 24-24. Both teams went back and forth before Jordan Anderson recorded a pair of kills to seal the set for the Bruins 29-27. 

"I was proud our team for coming from behind to take that set," Coach Denny said. "They had been exposing some of our weaknesses on defense and we were able to change up our defensive plan and that helped us come back point by point." 

The Bruins had grabbed momentum, but it was short lived as the Sabercats came out with a 6-3 lead to open the second set. Beaver again was dominant for the Bruins as she recorded a pair of kills to help the team battle back to tie the set at 8-8. As the set continued, the Sabercats were able to take a lead and kept the upper hand despite the Bruins coming back several times to tie. With the set at 16-16, Rachel Williams recorded a kill and Saleena Walker had an ace as the team jumped out to a 20-16 lead. Walker had a great serve streak to help the Bruins complete the set as she served six in a row to help the Bruins close out set two winning 25-17. With the win, the Bruins led 2-0 in the match. 

Just one set separated the Bruins from their first national title, but the Sabercats weren't going to go down without a fight as they exchanged points early on with the Bruins to lead 7-4. Courtney Bates had back to back aces to spark a 6-1 run for the Bruins as they re-took the lead 10-8. Another short run gave the Bruins helped the team build a 16-12 advantage before the Sabercats clawed their way back to trail 18-17. Brooke Beaver then took over the set for the Bruins as the freshman recorded three straight kills to help the Bruins take a 20-17 lead. Fittingly, Beaver put down a decisive kill on match point as the team rushed the court in celebration as they won the third set 25-19 to sweep the Sabercats 3-0. 

"We were just so excited for these young ladies," Coach Denny said. "Our girls played with confidence and didn't let the nerves of the moment get to them." 

Brooke Beaver led the Bruins with 14 kills, 9 digs and 2 aces in the match as she was named the tournament's Most-Outstanding Player. Saleena Walker also was named to the All-Tournament team as she led the Bruins defensively with 17 digs. Katherine Ring provided big blocking up front with four solo blocks and three block assists. With the win, the Lady Bruins finish the season with a 36-5 record and their first national championship. 

Through all the ups and downs of the season, the Bruins came together and focused on their goal. After capturing their third-straight NCCAA DII South Region Championship, the team knew they would have to be at their best as they faced the top teams in the country. They didn't let the pressure get to them as they started the tournament ranked #1 and finished by capturing their first national title. Years from now, future generations of Bruins volleyball players will be able to look back and remember the program's first champions.