In a five set thriller at the NCCAA National Championship match, the Bruins fell 3-2 to Arlington Baptist University to finish the season second in the nation.

"I am proud of the improvement, development and growth of our team these past three months. Getting to play for the national championship was an incredible accomplishment for our team," said Head Coach Vickie Denny. "Unfortunately we could not finish against a gritty and determined Arlington team. Congratulations to them and their coach for a hard-fought win. While this loss will sting for a bit, we will look forward to getting back on the court and getting better in the spring season. With only one senior, the core of our team will be back and more determined to get back to the national tournament next year."

After upsetting #3 Boyce College 3-0 in the semifinals on Friday, the Bruins entered today's game looking to extend their national championship run to take their seventh straight national title.

As Saturday's championship game got underway against the #2 Arlington Baptist University Patriots, the Bruins looked good to start the match and soon pulled ahead to a quality lead over the Patriots. They went on a seven point run to reach 20 points first. A block by Emily Lewis sent the Bruins into the win column in the first frame 25-17.

Errors plagued the Bruins in the second set and they soon found themselves trailing the Patriots for the first time. Attack errors continued and the Bruins gave away multiple points to fall behind 21-13. The Bruins got back two points off of errors by Arlington Baptist, but soon the Patriots evened the match with a second set score of 25-18. 

Early mistakes by Arlington benefited Bob Jones as they got on the board early to lead 3-2. The Bruins looked better in the third and soon led 11-7 before Arlington called a timeout looking to slow the roll. Bob Jones continued to attack and defend well holding onto their lead. The Patriots cut down the deficit and got within one but a kill by Hannah Goodwin got them to 20 first. It was a back and forth effort for the final points, but in the end it was the Bruins who finished on top 25-22 off of a kill by Faith Blalock to take the 2-1 match lead. 

The fourth set began with several great rallies as each team fought for their points. After the Bruins led early, the Patriots tied it at six before Faith Blalock slammed the ball to retake the lead 7-6. The game was soon tied again at 10-10. BJU pulled ahead to a five point lead off of a kill by Emily Lewis before Arlington cut the lead and soon knotted the score again at 20 points each. Arlington didn't back down and soon took the 23-22 lead. Back-to-back attack errors by BJU saw Arlington come back to take the frame 25-23 to force a fifth set. 

In a true championship match game, the Bruins and Patriots faced off for one final set to determine the championship winner. It was a nail biter but the Bruins soon took the slight 11-8 advantage. Unfortunately, the Bruins couldn't hold off the Patriots as they fought back to record seven straight to take the set 15-11 and secure the win 3-2. 

Following the game Assistant Coach Christa Schlichting said, "even though today's outcome wasn't the banner win we had hoped for, our national tournament play as a whole was a big team win for us. With a young team, we battled together and allowed God to work in and through us. To be back in the national championship is an amazing feat for us this season."

The Bruins finished their 2024 campaign with an impressive 30-12 record as they look ahead to another championship run next season.