After an uncharacteristic loss in game one of the NCCAA National Championship tournament in Joplin, Missouri, the Bob Jones University women's volleyball team knew they couldn't tap out when the times got rough as they came back to pick up two wins to advance to the semifinals on Friday. 

In game one, the Bruins defeated #8 Grace Christian University in straight sets before upsetting the top-seeded Randall University in a hard-fought 3-1 victory. 

"Today we looked like a different team as we entered the last day of pool play," said Head Coach Vickie Denny. "Knowing we had to win both matches to advance to the semifinal round, our focus was on encouraging one another regardless of the scoreboard."

The Bruins got off to an early start on day two of the NCCAA national tournament as they prepared to face off against #8 Grace Christian University at 10:30 a.m. As the game got underway, the Bruins pulled to an early 5-1 lead before the Tigers clawed their way back to tie it 5-5. Bob Jones then went on a five-point run to retake the lead. A kill by Hannah Goodwin saw the Bruins reach 20 points quickly. For the next 10 points, the two teams exchanged points before Hannah Goodwin sealed the set one win with a kill. 

After an early kill by Grace Chrisitan at the beginning of set two, the Bruins went on a eight point run highlighted by kills from Faith Blalock, Madison Goldstrom, and Hannah Goodwin. Bob Jones soon soared to a 16-3 advantage. The Bruins didn't back down and maintained their lead throughout the set. Stefanie Burke finished the second set with a kill to put the Bruins on top 25-14. 

The third set saw the Bruins leading 4-0, but the Tigers battled to even the score 4-4. Grace Christian tied it once again at seven all before Bob Jones went on a 8-1 run to get back the lead. The Tigers worked hard, but in the end it was kills back-to-back kills by Emily Lewis that secured the 25-16 set win as the Bruins completed the 3-0 sweep to pick up their first win of the tournament.

Three Bruins finished the game with double digit kills with Hannah Goodwin leading the way with 18 followed by Faith Blalock with 15 and Emily Lewis with 12. There were also three Bruins players who recorded double figures defensively with kills. Anne Lloyd tallied 18 followed by Faith Blalock (11) and Bethany Estell (10).

After a brief break, the Bruins were back on the court against #1 Randall University. Both the Bruins and the Saints entered the contest 1-1 in pool play with the winner advancing to the semifinals. 

Following some back and forth points early, the Bruins pulled ahead to a 7-3 lead in set one against the Saints. The Bruins held on to that narrow advantage through most of the first set. As the Bruins looked to close out the opening game at 24-17, Randall came back to score four straight before an attack error by the Saints gave the Bruins the set one win.

It was another close start as set two got underway. The Saints pulled to an early lead before the Bruins came back to tie it 5-5. After the Bruins took the slight lead, Randall closed the gap to tie the game once again. Bob Jones held a slight two point lead before Randall came in hot to score nine straight and lead 20-13. Randall soon led 24-16 before the Bruins went on a six point tear before a block by the Saints closed out the second set 25-22 for Randall to tie the match 1-1.

Like set two, the third set began with Randall pulling ahead to an early lead. They held that lead through the first half of the set before the Bruins went on a 7-1 run to overtake Randall 18-16. The Saints came back to knot the score 20-20. The two programs exchanged points without letting the other gain the lead until kills by Emily Lewis and Hannah Goodwin put the Bruins on top 27-20 to take back the 2-1 match lead. 

Randall once again got off to a hot start in the fourth set as the Bruins trailed 8-3. But the Bruins ignited a spark and went on a run to come back and even the score before Elyse Vest aced her serve to give Bob Jones their first lead of the game at 11-10. Bob Jones went on a 12-1 run to pull ahead to an impressive 23-16 lead. Randall didn't give up and made the Bruins work for their final points but in the end it was Bob Jones on top 25-21 to win the match 3-1 over the #1 seeded team. 

In the win, Anne Lloyd recorded a career high 29 digs against Randall University.

Following the game, Coach Denny said, "we came out strong and celebrated one another throughout the day. In a total team effort, God enabled us to win over Grace University and then take down the #1 seed Randall University. It was an incredible win against a very strong Randall team. We thank the Lord that our season isn't over yet."

With both of Thursday's wins, the Bruins have advanced to the semifinals and will play the winner of Pool B on Friday at 7 p.m. in Joplin, Missouri.