The Bruins welcomed Truett-McConnell University for back to back scrimmages on Tuesday night in their final preseason tuneup before the regular season. The Bruins came into the matches on the heels of sweeping Johnson University (TN) in both of their preseason matches on Saturday.
In the first match of the night, the Bruins and Bears would pit their reserves against one another in a best of three format. In set one, the Bruins came out strong and built an early lead. The team was able to distance themselves with good passing which allowed players to find holes for kills in the Truett defense. As a result, BJU took set one handily 25-12.
The Bears tried to even the score in set two, but the Bruins jumped out to an early 5-1 lead. Truett wouldn't be denied as they rallied to cut the lead to just a single point but again the Bruins came together and pushed their lead, eventually taking set two 25-16 and the match 2-0.
In the varsity match, the Bruins and Bears took the court and Truett jumped out to an early lead thanks to a prolific offensive attack. The Bruins were back on their heels and kept battling back but the deficit proved too much to overcome in set one as the Bears took it 25-17.
The Bears carried their momentum into set two as they quickly jumped out to an early lead. The Bruins tried to battle back but struggled to get past the Bears block up front as Truett continued to keep the lead. The Bruins were able to close the gap in the late stages, but the Bears wouldn't be denied as they held of the rally to win set two 25-23 and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
In the third set, the Bruins came out looking to stave off the sweep. The team was able to execute better offensively eventually building a slim lead. The Bears stayed within striking distance until late in the set when the Bruins went on a 4-0 run to take set three 25-21 and force a fourth set.
The Bruins had grabbed momentum and it showed in the fourth set as the team continued to pick apart the Bear defense with kills. Still, the score remained close but the Bruins kept the upper hand through the late stages of the set. Kaitlyn Landkrohn then forced a fifth set with an ace as the Bruins won set four 25-20 to even the match 2-2.
In the fifth set, the Bruins and Bears went back and forth before a short run gave the Bears a five-point lead. The Bruins tried to battle back but couldn't rally as the team fell 15-9 in set five to lose the match 3-2.
"We're trying to find our rhythm and just trying to find what combinations are going to work best for our team," Bruins Head Volleyball Coach Vickie Denny said. "Overall, we played a really good team tonight and I am pleased with our effort. This match will help us as we prepare to start our season this weekend against some strong competition."
The Bruins end the preseason at 1-1 as the team prepares to open the 2022 regular season this weekend. The Bruins will compete in the Averett Volleyball Cougar Classic in Danville, Virginia.
The team will play four matches in two days this weekend with the first two matches set for Friday afternoon. The Bruins will face William Peace University at 2 p.m. before finishing the day against Roanoke College at 4 p.m.
