The Bruins volleyball team continued their winning streak on Thursday night as the team defeated Columbia College in straight sets in Columbia, South Carolina. The win was the 8th in a row for the Bruins and the team has also won twenty-four straight sets during this winning streak.
"This was a good match for us," Bruins Head Coach Vickie Denny said as the Bruins improve to 21-3 on the season. "Columbia pushed us and we had to come from behind to get this win."
The Bruins came into the match having dominated Toccoa Falls College earlier in the week. The Koalas entered Thursday's game looking for a win as they were in the midst of a 8-game losing streak. Earlier this season, the Bruins and Koalas had met in Greenville, South Carolina, with the Bruins winning 3-0 (25-10, 25-13, 25-6).
Saleena Walker got the Bruins off and running with back to back aces to begin the opening set but the Koalas answered back to keep the score close. The Bruins were able to keep the lead thanks to a strong serve and kills from Katherine Ring and Laura Gaston.
Near the midway point of the set, th Koalas went on a run to claw their way back and tie the set 16-16. Laura Gaston gave the Bruins the edge again with back to back kills as the Bruins took a 23-19 lead. The Koalas refused to back down but the Bruins were able to finish off the opening set thanks to two kills from Victoria Glaze as the Bruins won 25-23.
In the second set, Glaze and Gaston gave the Bruins a 4-1 lead as they picked apart the Columbia defense with kills. The Koalas answered back with a 6-0 run as they took the lead 7-4. The Koalas continued to maintain the lead as they looked to even the match.
The Bruins got a spark as Glaze and Ring made kills to help the Bruins claw their way back into the set. Again, the serve was effective for the Bruins as they took the Koalas out of their rhythm. Walker recorded another ace to close out the set as the Bruins scored six straight points to win set two 25-20 to lead the match 2-0.
Momentum had swung back to the Bruins after the second-set rally and it showed to start the third set as the team came out with a 6-0 lead thanks to great serving by Saleena Walker. The Bruins offense was firing on all cylinders as kills by Brooke Beaver, Laura Gaston and Victoria Glaze continued increase the lead.
The Koalas tried to fight back to avoid the sweep, but Bruins freshman Savannah Nissen recorded back to back kills to help the Bruins close out set three 25-14 to win the match 3-0.
"I was especially pleased with the performance of some of our freshmen subs off the bench," Coach Denny said. "Savannah, Rachel and Hannah each stepped up big for us tonight. It was a good team win for us and now we have to prepare for Saturday."
Laura Gaston was the only player in double figures for kills as the captain finished with 11 on the night. Saleena Walker recorded four aces in the match to go along with 14 digs while setters Brittany Annand and Rachel Pattisall combined for 33 assists.
Next up, the Bruins will play three matches at the Davis Field House on Saturday as they welcome Morris College, University of Pikeville, and Piedmont International University to Greenville, South Carolina.
