The Bruins were in Winston-Salem, North Carolina Friday night to take part in a tri-match against Regent University and Carolina University.The Bruins first played the Regent Royals where the Bruins made quick work winning 3-0. Shortly after, the BJU Bruins took on the home team CU Bruins in an exciting 3-0 match that went to BJU. The highlight of the night was the second set in the battle of the Bruins where BJU won a 31-29 set. With two wins tonight, the Bruins improve to 26-4 this season.
The first match of the night finished in three sets (25-10, 25-16, 25-9). The Bruins played a sound game all the way around. They were able to keep the Royals on their toes for most of the match as they cruised through each set. Each ball placement was strategically placed so the Royals had a hard time building any sort of momentum. Timbre Cruz and Faith Blalock both had 12 kills apiece to help lead the Bruins to their first win of the night.
In the battle of the Bruins, the two teams played a fierce three-set match (25-15, 31-29, 25-15). BJU took the first set with ease, but the second set became much more challenging when they fell behind early. Climbing back from a 15-20 deficit, the BJU Bruins tied it up at 20-20. Then it was a race to 25 points. The BJU Bruins did make it to 25 points first, but it wouldn't be enough at the CU Bruins were right behind them with 24 points. It turned into a grudge match where both teams traded points until it reached the final 31-29 BJU set victory. After the exciting set came to an end, the BJU Bruins used their excitement and momentum to carry them through the rest of the match.
"Kiersten ran the offense well in both matches tonight. Regent has improved so much this year so to take them in three was a good start to the evening," Head Coach Vickie Denny commented. "Carolina is always tough to play at their place with a home crowd that always brings a lot of energy and support for their team. I thought we started off that match strong but in set two fell behind early and had to fight our way back into the match."
The Bruins will be back in action tomorrow to face Salem College and Pfeiffer University in another tri-match in Misenheimer, North Carolina.
 Â
Â