The Bruins saw several wins throughout the day, but the Bruins fell 3-2 to Spartanburg Methodist College and Truett McConnell University in both matches on their inaugural match day in Cleveland, Georgia.

"What an exciting first match for our inaugural season," said Head Coach Vickie Denny. "Great competition and close sets made it exciting for the finish. Overall it was a good day for our first in beach volleyball. I am extremely proud of how our players battled to the very end. We look forward to continued improvement as we go along."

The first match of the day got underway at 10 a.m. as the Bruins faced off against Spartanburg Methodist College.

Partners Caitlyn Benson and Katelyn Landkrohn came together to win a 30-28 thriller to earn the first set win for the Bruins beach program. They would then follow up their first set with a big 21-9 victory to win the first dual. Hannah Prince and Caroline Smith would play to come away with two big sets to gain the second win of the day for the Bruins. The stage was then set for the #1 pairs to face off. After dropping their first set 21-9, Camilla Silva and Eden Swihart regrouped to win 21-14 in their second set to force a third set. The duo fought hard to the end as the scoring went back and forth, but eventually fell 12-15 in their third set. As Emma Riddle and Timbre Cruz hit the sand, they were unable to come away with any points as fell in two sets to the Pioneers. The final pairing of Faith Blalock and Bailee Hunger fought to win their second set and as they played in their third set, they couldn't hold on as the Pioneers won 16-14 to come away with the set win. 

Despite a hard fought game, the Bruins would fall 2-3 against the SMC Pioneers.

The Bruins got a short break before they would take on Truett McConnell University at 1 p.m.

The Benson and Landkrohn pairing got the second match started for the Bruins. They played in close sets, but were unable to secure the win as they fell 21-19 in set one and 21-18 in set two. Faith Blalock and Bailee Hunger fell in their first set, but came back with a strong 21-13 win to force a third set. They were unable to come away with the win and fell 15-10 to the Bears. Hannah Prince and Caroline Smith came away with their set win to help get their team on the board. Caroline made an outstanding save on Truett McConnell's game point to come back and save. As Eden Swihart and Camila Silva went to the sand for their second game of the day, they were unable to hold off the #1 duo for the Bears and fell in two sets. After a slow start for Timbre Cruz and Emma Riddle, the two hit their stride to win their second set 21-18 and rallied to win their third set, giving the Bruins their second dual win.

"We have two tough opponents tomorrow, so it'll be a quick rest and then back on the sand early tomorrow morning," said Denny

The Bruins take on Erskine College and Lincoln Memorial College tomorrow morning in Cleveland, Georgia.


BJU Bruins, 2 | Spartanburg Methodist College, 3
1. Laura Lietzke/Taylor Reilly (SMC) def. Eden Swihart/Camila Silva (BJU) 21-9, 13-21, 15-12
2. Mackenzie McIntosh/Meghan Scharpenberg (SMC) def. Emma Riddle/Timbre Cruz (BJU) 21-8, 21-13
3. Hannah Prince/Caroline Smith (BJU) def. Tayla Reini/Aurora Ano (SMC) 22-20, 21-14
4. Katelynn Landkrohn/Caitlyn Benson (BJU) def. Abby Funchess/Kaydee Runion (SMC) 30-28, 21-9
5. Sidney Russell/Raquel Talley (SMC) def. Faith Blalock/Bailee Hunger (BJU) 15-21, 21-11, 16-14
 
6. Andrea Villaverde/Delaney Nething (BJU) def. Ashley Gagnon/Arianna Oweno (SMC) 21-16, 23-21