The incredible championship run continues as the Bruins volleyball team defeated #2 Arlington Baptist University to capture their fifth-straight NCCAA DII National Championship. The two teams put on a show for the fans in attendance with the Bruins prevailing 3-1 over the Patriots.
"I am so proud how this group overcame challenges all season long to get to this point today," Bruins Head Coach Vickie Denny said. "The team really stepped up big and we had solid play from so many individual players that made for a great team effort. It was a great championship match and we have nothing but the utmost respect for Arlington. To God be the glory!"
The Bruins came into the championship match on the heels of sweeping top-seeded Manhattan Christian College in the semifinal on Saturday morning. The team put on a dominant defensive performance as five different players recorded double digits in digs.
The Bruins would face a familiar opponent in the championship match as #2 Arlington Baptist had swept #4 Maranatha Baptist University in the other semifinal match. The Patriots and Bruins met during the pool play round where Arlington defeated BJU 3-1. The stage was set for the next champion to be crowned as both teams took the court.
In the opening set, the Bruins and Patriots went back and forth as there were several ties and lead changes in the early goings. Emma Riddle hammered down a kill for the Bruins to spark an 8-0 run as the team pushed their lead to 15-8.
The Bruins continued to maintain the upper hand but late in the set a 6-0 run by the Patriots allowed the team to come all the way back and lead 20-19. The Bruins dug deep and got a great kill from Timbre Cruz but the Patriots answered back with the score eventually evening at 24-24. From there, the teams traded set points before a kill from Faith Blalock and an error on the Patriots helped the Bruins take set one 29-27.
In the second set, the Patriots came out looking to get even and it showed as the team stromed out to a 5-1 advantage. The Bruins came back with kills from Faith Blalock and Emma Riddle as the team eventually tied the set at 12-12.
Again the Bruins and Patriots would remain close with neither able to build a sizable lead. Reese Couture made a kill for the Patriots which sparked a short run for ABU as they led 20-16. From there, the Bruins tried to battle back but the Patriots wouldn't be denied as they won set two 25-21 to even the match at 1-1.
Set three was pivotal as both teams came out looking to gain the lead in the match. After several ties and lead changes, the Bruins and Patriots continued to battle as the score tied at 16-16. The Bruins then got a spark from Katherine Hoopes as she recorded a pair of kills to help the Bruins score four-straight points and take a 20-17 lead.
The Bruins then kept the pressure on as the team scored five-straight points to close out the set 25-18 and take a 2-1 lead in the match. The Bruins were just one set away from another national title.
In set four, the Bruins came out strong as kills from Timbre Cruz and Faith Blalock helped the team jump out to a 9-3 lead. The Bruins kept the pressure on as they hoped to put the match away and win the title. The Patriots continued to battle as they chipped away at the lead eventually battling all the way back to trail 19-18.
Katherine Hoopes hammered home a kill for the Bruins to increase the lead but the Patriots answered back with three straight points to take their first lead of the set 21-20. The two teams again went into extra volleyball as the set tied at 24-24.
The Bruins needed a big play and they got one from their senior as Emma Riddle made a kill to give match point for the Bruins 25-24. Kyra Rickard then ended the match with a kill as the Bruins players stormed the court as the team celebrated their fifth straight national title.
Three players recorded double-digits in kills with Katherine Hoopes leading the way with 17 while Emma Riddle had 15 and Kyra Rickard had 13. The Bruins had 94 combined digs as a team with Timbre Cruz leading the way with 23 while Kiersten Hoopes had 57 assists in the win.
The Bruins battled through a difficult season schedule and faced adversity through the ups and downs of the season. The team continued to persevere and once again find themselves atop Division II as national champions.
