BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – (Box Score) (RV) Blue Mountain Christian opened the 2023 volleyball season by shutting out former SSAC foe Bethel 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-16) Friday night at Tyler Gym.
A tight first set saw the Toppers turn away the Wildcats by going on a 6-1 run midway in the opener.
In the second set, Blue Mountain fell behind 3-6, but went on a 7-1 run thanks to two aces by Michaela Frederick and a kill by Kaytie Rutland.
The third was close until the Toppers jumped out 17-13 behind kills from Rutland and Rae Ann Hall.
Frederick and Reanna Brown captained the court on setting for the Toppers, with each lady dishing out 13 assists.  Frederick also turned in six digs.
Kora Wilson threw down three service aces for BMCU, while Hall led the way with eight kills on 15 attempts.
Rutland finished with seven kills, as did Randi Crandall.  Crandall hit .778 on the night in nine attempts.
BMCU had 10 total blocks on the defensive side, with Olivia Ashton leading at three (solo, two assisted).
"I thought we did some good things out there tonight to open the season," BMCU head coach Reid Gann said.  "Our defense chased down a lot of tough balls and gave us a shot each point.  That's going to be important as the year goes on and we continue to feed our strengths.  Overall, it was just a good win over a good team."
BMCU (1-0) returns to action August 25-26 at the Milligan Mountain Madness Tournament in Milligan College, Tenn.  The Toppers play Rio Grande and Taylor Friday, followed by Southeastern (Fla.) and Coastal Georgia Saturday.
 
 
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