The beach volleyball team picked up their first two wins of the season at their home opener from the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina Tuesday afternoon. The Bruins began the day with a 4-1 victory over Gaston College before taking the 3-2 win over Spartanburg Methodist College.
"Our focus for today was to control what we could control," said Head Coach Vickie Denny. "All the teams battled hard against a strong wind all day long which created some challenges. I am pleased with how our players made necessary adjustments during their play to adapt their game and come away with our first team wins of the season. We are a young team but everyone is working hard to get better and I am glad that was demonstrated today."
Despite cold and windy conditions, the Bruins looked to come out hot against Gaston College and Spartanburg Methodist College. The Bruins came into today's duals 0-8 and on the hunt for their first win of the year.
In the first ever meeting between the Rhinos, pairs #1, #2, #4, and #5 each won their matches in straight sets to post the first team win of the season.
Looking to build off of the momentum of the first dual of the day, the Bruins were back on the sand to face Spartanburg Methodist College. The two teams continued to battle through tough conditions. After the #4 and #5 pairs secured their matches, it came down to the #2 pairing of Faith Blalock and Andrea Villaverde who finished with two exciting sets to capture the team's 3-2 win over the Pioneers.
Up next, the Bruins are back at the Upward Star Center for another home match on March 16 against St. Andrews University.
BJU Bruins, 4 | Gaston College, 1
- #15 Emma Riddle, #9 Timbre Cruz def. #9 Cristina Rotola, #8 Naomi Hilliard(21-16, 21-18)
- #14 Faith Blalock, #4 Andrea Villaverde def. #7 Emma Downey, #1 Liz Jones (21-10, 21-13)
- #6 Sophia Vosburgh, #2 Anna Fleming def. #5 Millea Styles, #15 Cameryn Reavis (21-18, 21-19)
- #17 Bianca Bowland, #11 Carli Phillips def. #16 Emily Lewis, #10 Holly Taylor (21-17, 21-17)
- #17 Maddy Goldstrom, #3 Anne Lloyd def. #10 Leilani Nolasco, #18 Kristy Seifert (21-12, 21-6)
Exhibition: #18 Elisabeth Fickel, #8 Brynn Lytell (21-18, 22-11)
BJU Bruins, 3 | Spartanburg Methodist College, 2
- SMC def. #15 Emma Riddle, #9 Timbre Cruz (21-13, 21-13)
- #14 Faith Blalock, #4 Andrea Villaverde def. SMC (22-20, 23-21)
- SMC def #6 Sophia Vosburgh, #2 Anna Fleming (21-10, 21-9)
- #16 Emily Lewis, #10 Holly Taylor def. SMC (13-21, 21-16, 15-11)
- #17 Maddy Goldstrom, #3 Anne Lloyd def. SMC (21-12, 12-21, 15-11)
Exhibition: SMC def. #18 Elisabeth Fickel, #8 Brynn Lytell (21-12, 21-9)
