(Bowling Green, Ky.) – The Truett McConnell University women’s volleyball team traveled to compete in the Vette City Classic, where they went 1-3 on the weekend and faced University of the Cumberlands (22-25, 25-22, 24-26, 21-25), Bethel University (19-25, 20-25, 20-25), Blue Mountain College (11-25, 25-19, 8-25, 18-25) and Williams Baptist College (25-13, 28-26, 25-19).
MATCH 1 | University of the Cumberlands
The Lady Bears competed in four hard-fought sets with the Patriots. In the first set, TMU had a six-point rally late in the set, but fell short 22-25. In the second set, the Patriots took a 16-6 lead early on. A five-point rally, followed by a nine-point rally gave the Lady Bears their first set win of the season.
In the third set, both teams were neck and neck when a service ace from Brooklynn Brock gave TMU the advantage. A late three-point rally from the Patriots left the Lady Bears behind (26-24). In the final set, an early five-point rally from the Patriots gave them an early advantage. A late rally from TMU was not enough, leaving them to fall 21-25.
LEADERS
Katie Williams led the Lady Bers with 14 kills, followed by Leah Bowen with 13 and Jordan Roberts with 11. Williams led with 23 digs, followed by Rachel Kessler with 15 digs. Emma Boland led with 22 assists, followed by Brock with 20.
MATCH 2 | Bethel University
The Lady Bears remained close to the Cats in the first set, until the Cats broke away with a five-point rally (19-25). In the second set, TMU was able to string together three points with an ace from Williams and a kill from Bowen. A late service ace from Brock was not enough, leaving TMU to fall 20-25. In the final set, the Lady Bears had an early three-point rally with kills from Roberts and Bowen. A six-point rally put the Cats back on top, where a late four-point rally was not enough for TMU (20-25).
LEADERS
Williams led the way with nine kills, followed by Roberts who tallied eight kills. Kessler led with 13 digs, followed by Bowen with five digs of her own. Brock led the way with 14 assists, while Boland contributed 12 kills.
MATCH 3 | Blue Mountain College
The Lady Bears worked hard against the Toppers, but ultimately fell short, 11-25. In the second set, TMU scored first with a kill from Neal. A kill from Roberts followed by a five-point rally but the Lady Bears on top. Both teams were evenly matched, until a kill from Neal secured a 25-19 victory.
In the third set, the Toppers worked quick with an eight-point rally, leaving the Lady Bears behind 8-25. In the final set, TMU scored first and had an early three-point rally. Both teams were neck and neck, until a service ace from Brock put TMU ahead. The Toppers worked quick with a five-point rally, leaving the Lady Bears to fall 18-25.
LEADERS
Roberts led the way with nine kills, followed by Williams who contributed six kills of her own. Kessler led the way with 15 digs, while Boland tallied 11 digs. Brock led the way with 20 assists, while Kessler and Boland had two assists apiece.
MATCH 4 | Williams Baptist College
The Lady Bears went an intense three sets with the Eagles. In the first set, TMU started with a service ace from Brock. A six-point rally with kills from Williams, Bowen, and Roberts gave TMU an early lead. Another six-point rally secured a 25-13 victory. In the second set, the Lady Bears started with a four-point rally with a kill from Neal. Kills from Sonya Silecky, Neal, and Bowen continued to add fire to TMU’s lead. A late eight-point rally from the Eagles brought the set within one point, but another kill from Bowen and Silecky gave the Lady Bears a 28-26 win. In the final set, TMU had a five-point rally followed by a kill from Brock and Silecky to take the lead. Two kills from Bowen and Williams increased the gap, giving the Lady Bears a 25-19 victory.
LEADERS
Bowen led TMU with 10 kills, followed by Roberts and Neal with nine a piece. Kessler led the way with 16 digs, followed by Silecky who tallied nine digs. Brock had an impressive 38 assists, followed by Boland with three assists of her own.
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears are back in action on Tuesday, August 23, inside the Harris Athletic Complex for their first home, tri-match of the season against College of Coastal Georgia and Toccoa Falls College. Match times are set for 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
