The Bob Jones University Bruins hosted Carolina University and Toccoa Falls College on Thursday for a tri-match at the Davis Field House. The Bruins came out victorious in both matches with a 3-1 win over Carolina University before sweeping Toccoa Falls 3-0. With those two wins, the Bruins have improved to 21-4 on the season.
"We knew we were going to play two good teams tonight as both have winning records and both have really solid programs," commented Head Coach Vickie Denny. "They are two very different teams though. Carolina really came out and had some really hard hitters and we had to play some really good defense to stop their offensive attack. Toccoa may not have quite as hard of hitters, but smarter hitters. So two very different games, but I felt like we adjusted well and our team really stepped up. It was a great team victory tonight!"
Carolina University and the BJU Bruins played a tough match. Both teams looked pretty evenly matched and neither team could take a hold on the first set. In a close one, Carolina University squeaked out the first set 25-23 over Bob Jones. The second set was just as close as the first one. After falling behind early, BJU rallied to close the gap. The BJU Bruins quietly kept pace with the CU Bruins and right as it looked like the CU Bruins were going to take a 2-0 match lead, BJU swooped in and took set two 25-23.
With score now tied 1-1, the dust started to settle as the BJU Bruins got into their rhythm. As the BJU Bruins found a pattern that worked for them, they started slowly building a lead. Bob Jones took set three 25-20 and a 2-1 lead in the match. BJU went full force in the fourth set and found a commanding lead. Despite their struggles in the first three sets, Bob Jones put together a solid performance to finish off the CU Bruins 25-13 in set four to earn the 3-1 win.
With tonight's win over Carolina University, Head Coach Vickie Denny hit a milestone win as she crossed 1,200 career wins.
Following their win over Carolina University, the BJU Bruins were able to take a small break to rest and reenergize for their next match against Toccoa Falls. The CU Bruins and Toccoa Falls Screaming Eagles played a three-set match where Carolina University promptly won all three sets.
As the match between the Bruins and Screaming Eagles got underway, the Bruins were ready to close the night out strong with another win. The first set saw the Bruins hit the gas and not let off. The team put together 13 kills to put the first set to bed 25-16.
With all the momentum they built in the first set, the Bruins continued their dominant run over the Screaming Eagles. The Bruins managed a 19-8 lead in set two, forcing the Screaming Eagles to call a timeout. The time would prove beneficial for the Screaming Eagles as it slowed the Bruins down significantly. Stalling at 23-13 and the Screaming Eagles made a run of seven to bring it back to close 24-21. Katherine Hoopes would finish their run with a massive kill to win the second set.
Katelyn Landkrohn helped get the Bruins started in the third set to put up a 7-2 lead. A strong performance for the whole team gave them a commanding lead throughout the whole set which led to a 25–16 win. The Bruins swept the Screaming Eagles 3-0 to cap the night off with another win.Â
Up next, the Bruins will be back on the road at Toccoa Falls College. That match is scheduled for next Tuesday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m.
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