The Bob Jones University women's volleyball team opened their season with back to back contests in Danville, Virginia at the Cougar Classic. In game one, the Bruins finished on top in a five set thriller against Methodist University before falling 3-1 to a tough Roanoke College program.

"The team showed a lot of grit today, and we competed well against both teams," said coach Christa Schlichting following her first game at the helm. She continued saying, "it was exciting to win the first match 3-2 against Methodist, but we did not play as consistently in the last match against Roanoke."

Back-to-back aces by Elyse Vest put the Bruins on the board first against Methodist University. The game remained close as the two teams battled. After tying the game at 14 points a piece, the Bruins took back the lead after errors by the Monarchs.The Bruins held on to that lead until the end as an ace by Elyse Vest sealed the set one victory 25-19.

The second set stayed close, but the Bruins fell 25-21. Bob Jones took off to a hot start in the third set and eventually pulled ahead to a nine point advantage. The Bruins took the 2-1 lead with a convincing 25-14 set three victory.

After falling in another tight 25-19 loss, it all came down to the fifth and final set. BJU trailed through most of the fifth set. Trailing 12-8, the Bruins battled back after a time out to score three straight and work to cut away their deficit. A service ace by Bethany Estell got them within a single point of the Monarchs. The Bruins came from behind to take set three 16-14 off the ace by Hannah Goodwin.

At the conclusion of game one, Goodwin led the team with 21 kills and nine digs. The team recorded 13 aces by five different players with Estell leading with five and Vest contributing four to to the total.

After a brief break, the Bruins were back on the court for their final game of the day ready to take on Roanoke College. BJU earned the first point of the match and was able to hold on to that narrow lead through the rest of the first set picking up the 25-21 set win. The Bruins were unable to hang on against the Maroons in the next three sets as they fell 25-17, 25-17, and 25-10 to fall 3-1. 

On Saturday, the Bruins take on day two of the Cougar Classic in Danville, Virginia. The team will face off against host school Averett University at noon before wrapping up the weekend against William Peace University at 2 p.m.