Blue Mountain, Miss.- The Blue Mountain Christian University volleyball team battled through four sets against Loyola University (La.) on Saturday afternoon at Tyler Gymnasium but ultimately fell 3-1 in SSAC action.
The Wolf Pack claimed the opening set 25-18 before the Volley Toppers responded with a 25-18 victory in the second. Loyola regained control in the third set with a 25-19 win and closed out the match with a 25-18 victory in the fourth.
After dropping the opening set, Blue Mountain Christian found its rhythm offensively in the second, recording 12 kills while hitting .222 as a team. The Volley Toppers held Loyola to a .077 hitting percentage during the frame, allowing BMCU to even the match at one set apiece.
Loyola responded with its strongest offensive performance of the match in the third set, recording 18 kills on a .292 hitting percentage.
Despite continued efforts from the Volley Toppers, the Wolf Pack maintained its momentum in the fourth to secure the conference victory.
Salice Speed led the offensive effort for BMCU, finishing with a team-high 14 kills while also contributing 12 digs for a double-double.
Marissa Gerleman added 10 kills, while
Valeria Velez recorded eight kills and a team-high three service aces.
Defensively,
Abbi Williams continued to anchor the back row, leading the Volley Toppers with 21 digs.
Sydney Tague followed with 15 digs while also contributing 14 assists and two service aces.
Brenyn Wilbanks paced BMCU with 15 assists, while
Olivia Lewis led the team's efforts at the net with four blocks.
As a team, Blue Mountain Christian finished with 41 kills, 35 assists, 69 digs, eight service aces and six blocks. The Volley Toppers held an advantage in service aces over Loyola, which finished with six, while both teams recorded six blocks.
The Volley Toppers will back in action against Freed-Hardeman on Tuesday night.
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