The Bob Jones University women's volleyball team was back on the court early Saturday morning for back-to-back games at day two of the Cougar Classic in Danville, Virginia. The Bruins entered the day looking for their first win of the season, but ultimately fell 3-1 to the University of Lynchburg followed by a five set loss to Averett University.
"It was another hard fought day of volleyball," said Head Coach Vickie Denny. "We are so young with many new players that are learning the difference of the pace in college volleyball. With limited days of preseason this year, unfortunately we are having to learn while we are already playing regular season matches. While this is not ideal, I am thankful for this group of players who continue to work hard to learn our system of play."
She continued saying, "we played nine hours of competitive volleyball in two days with a limited roster size against solid competition. I am extremely proud how we competed under not ideal circumstances. This team is special."
With little time for rest and recovery from yesterday's games, the Bruins got the day underway with the first ever meeting against the University of Lynchburg.
Some mistakes early on allowed the Hornets to take the lead, but the Bruins regrouped after a timeout to begin to close the gap. BJU went on a 6-1 run to finish the first set on top 25-23.
In the second set, Lynchburg got hot and started to pull away. The Bruins couldn't pull back and the Hornets evened the match at 1-1 after 25-18 set win.
Set three began with the two programs keeping it close. A kill by Stefanie Burke put the Bruins ahead 15-14 for their first lead of the set. The set remained tight and and a kill by Emily Lewis tied the game at 24 points, but the Hornets took the set with a kill following a Bruins service error.
Down 2-1 in the count, the Bruins needed a strong start to stay in the game. The didn't give up and scored five straight points to pull ahead 14-12. But ultimately it was the Hornets who came out victorious game one.
Hannah Goodwin led the team with 16 kills followed by Faith Blalock who finished with a double double of 12 kills and 20 digs.
Back at it for the second game of the day, the Bruins were ready to face Averett University on their home court. Hannah Goodwin recorded four consecutive aces to put the Bruins ahead early 6-3. The two programs continued to go back and forth but the Bruins capitalized on a service error by the Cougars and a block by Emily Lewis to end set one on top 26-24.
Averett University responded with a dominate set two to the second set win 25-12.
The Cougars opened the third set with four straight points before BJU came back to tie the game. It was crunch time as the Bruins worked to a decent lead. The two programs battled with some impressive volleys. In the end it was kills by Hannah Goodwin and Faith Blalock that sealed the set victory for the Bruins.
Set four remained close but the Bruins played well to gain a slight lead. With the score knotted at 19 points, the Bruins recorded four straight to lead 22-19 before attack errors by the Bruins at the end sent the Cougars into the win column to even the game at 2-2 set wins each.
Averett University remained hot and got out to a quick lead in the final set. Point by point the Bruins looked to claw back, but the Cougars were able to outlast the Bruins, finish the set, and come away with the 3-2 win.
Hannah Goodwin led the team again with 14 kills with Faith Blalock earning another double double with 11 kills and 18 digs.
Up next, the Bruins are back for their home opener on Tuesday, September 3 with a 7 p.m. game against Spartanburg Methodist College at the Davis Field House.
