The Bob Jones University Bruins volleyball team is bringing home another National Championship banner after defeating Manhattan Christian College 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-18). This is the sixth straight National Championship win for the Bruins volleyball team. They end their season on an incredible nine game win streak, including regular and post season to finish 35-5 on the year.
"The seniors have led this team so well all season and I am thrilled that they could go out with their fourth national championship," said Head Coach Vickie Denny.
Senior Katelyn Landkrohn said, "I am so thankful for this team and the work everyone put in this year. We came in ready to compete as a team against a strong Manhattan team. But more than that, I am thankful to God for being so good and gracious to us this season. This is the best way to go out as a senior!"
Their path to banner began in pool play against #8 seed Calvary University in a four-set match (25-10, 20-25, 25-18, 25-16). Their second match of pool play would find them against #5 seed Grace Christian University in a 3-0 match (25-15, 25-17, 25-13). Their final match of the pool was against #4 seed Randall University in another sweep (27-25, 25-20, 25-21).
As the pool winner, they moved on to face #3 seed Arlington Baptist University in an exciting four sets (24-26, 25-18, 26-24, 25-19). The Patriots got the best of the Bruins in the first set, but BJU stormed back to take the next three to advance to the National Championship match.
The championship match commenced against #2 seed Manhattan Christian College and there was no stopping the Bruins. They brought out the brooms and finished the Thunder 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-18). Coming in big time for the Bruins was Victoria Glaze and Emily Lewis who both finished with 10 kills. Kiersten Hoopes led the team with 33 assists and Katelyn Landkrohn kept up the defense with 17 digs.
"Today's match against Manhattan was a great example of our team coming together with everyone contributing to the final championship win. Our offensive attack was spread out and we made some great defensive plays. Everyone had a solid match which contributed to our 3-0 sweep over a very talented and tall Manhattan team," Coach Denny commented.
In a back and forth set to begin the match, the Bruins were on a mission. The two teams were locked in an exchange of points where neither team could get ahead. The Bruins finally broke the tie at the 10-10 mark during the first set. A little rhythm got them a five point lead. Any effort Manhattan made to try and catch up was squandered each time as the Bruins kept pushing them back.
The second set was much of the same where both teams could only keep the service for just a couple points before relinquishing the ball. The exchange wouldn't be stopped until the Bruins called a timeout down two, 15-17. Senior, Timbre Cruz put the Bruins back on top as she helped lead them to six straight points. Another push by Manhattan to bring it back, but it was too late. Katherine Hoopes put down the final kill in the 25-21 second set.
Getting into the third set, the Bruins had all the momentum they needed to make their final push for the win. The Bruins started out with a pair of kills before Manhattan scored the next three. From there, the Bruins went back on top 7-3 and never looked back. They held their lead for the remainder of the set and swept the Manhattan Thunder.
Victoria Glaze and Katherine and Kiersten Hoopes made the All-Tournament team, while Glaze also claimed the NCCAA National Player of the Year award.
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