After an impressive 11-match winning streak, the women’s volleyball team’s run finally ended with a loss to the No. 1 Fresno Pacific University Sunbirds on Tuesday night in Fresno.
The No. 3 Eagles were swept 11-25, 20-25, 23-25, and now post a record of 20-5 on the season and 11-2 in Golden State Athletic Conference play. Fresno remains undefeated with a perfect 22-0 record and 62 consecutive victories over the last two seasons.
The first set found the Eagles struggling to find their footing, as Biola hit negative with six kills and seven errors. Fresno never looked back, and breezed to a 25-11 win. The second set, however, proved better for Biola. The Eagles went on a 5-1 run coming to within one point of Fresno at 20-19, but then committed four errors giving the Sunbirds the set at 25-20.
The Eagles established their first convincing lead late in the third set, using a five-point run to jump to a 21-20 lead. A kill by sophomore outside hitter Christine Douglas and a Fresno error gave Biola the lead at 23-22. But two kills and an ace by the Sunbirds ended Biola’s chance at extending the match to four sets, and gave Fresno Pacific the victory.
Douglas led the Eagles with nine kills—one of her quietest nights all season—and Nicolette Mather added six.
Loss comes after this week’s wins against Taylor and Concordia
Earlier in the week, Biola managed to add two more wins to their record, posting victories over both No. 8 Taylor University and No. 10 Concordia University.
On Thursday, the Eagles took down Taylor 25-15, 24-26, 25-18, 19-25, 15-4 in Chase Gymnasium. Both squads took turns dominating sets, with Biola controlling the first, third and fifth, and Taylor dominating the second and fourth.
In the first set, the Eagles took a 13-9 lead and proceeded to exchange points with Taylor until a six point run gave Biola the set at 25-15.
The second set was riddled with Biola attack errors, as the Eagles committed eleven to the first set’s one, to give Taylor the set. Biola came from behind late in the second to tie the score at 23-23, and then again at 24-24, but a kill by Taylor and a bad set from Biola gave Taylor the set, 26-24.
Biola returned to soundly take the third set, thanks in part to strong serving by junior Christian Woodruff that gave the Eagles a 9-0 run and 21-11 lead. Douglas ended the set with nine of Biola’s 14 kills, and the Eagles took the set 25-18.
However, the fourth set again found Taylor taking the upper hand. With Biola leading 11-10, Taylor exploded with a 9-3 run, not allowing Biola to come within three points for the rest of the set.
The Eagles were finally able to end things in the fifth set, coming out with a 6-0 lead and never giving Taylor a chance to catch up. An ace by senior setter Abbie Wright gave Biola the set, 15-4, and the match.
Eagle athletes deliver strong performances
Douglas led the Eagles, recording 26 kills, three blocks, and six digs on the match. Senior middle blocker Tavea Hampton also had a strong game, recording 10 kills and seven blocks. Biola’s defense also had an outstanding night, as the Eagles, led by freshman Emily Weingartner’s 31 digs, recorded 103 digs on the match. Woodruff also added 16 digs of her own, while freshman setter Gracee Gallarda added 11 along with 22 assists as the Eagles recorded more digs than any Biola match since 2007.
Eagles dominate three of four sets against Concordia Saturday
On Saturday, the Eagles dominated the final three sets of a four-set match to take down No. 10 Concordia University 14-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-19 in Chase Gymnasium. Concordia quickly jumped to a 12-4 lead in the first set, and Biola never recovered. Both Concordia’s offense and defense proved too much for the Eagles, and Biola fell 14-25.
The second set looked like it held more of the same for the Eagles, as Concordia again started strong winning five of the first six points and took a 9-4 lead. However, a short Biola run and two back-to-back kills by senior Amy Mosebar brought the Eagles to an 11-11 tie, and Biola was able to extend their run until they held a 17-12 lead.
However, Concordia fought back and brought the score to 20-19, before two kills by Hampton, a Mosebar kill, and blocks by Douglas and Rachel Buckley gave Biola the set at 25-20. The third set found the Eagles using an early 8-3 run and a late 8-2 run to dominate Concordia, finally taking the set convincingly at 25-15.
Lead changes and ties characterized much of the fourth set, but Biola was able to take the lead at 15-12 and hold on to take the set and match. Woodruff had another standout match, recording 16 digs, a kill and an ace for the Eagles. Mather also racked up impressive numbers, recording 14 kills and a .407 attack percentage. Hampton added 13 kills and two blocks, while Mosebar ended the match with 12 and no errors.
The Eagles next match is at home against The Master’s College on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. before they host Azusa Pacific Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.
