After a good run at Concordia University’s Labor Day Festival last weekend, Biola continued their hot streak, recording a pair of sweeps over La Sierra University and MidAmerica Nazarene University on Friday night at the Vanguard Volleyball Tournament.
This weekend the Eagles improved their record to 13-1 and have now won 12 straight matches. To open the tournament, Biola defeated La Sierra 25-12, 26-24, 25-22. They then closed out the tournament with a 25-18, 25-18, 25-16 victory over MidAmerica.
Senior Christine Douglas recorded a whopping 26 kills, with senior Nicolette Mather and junior Chelsee Arnitz following close behind her with 17 kills apiece.
“Before games I try to mentally prepare for whatever opponent we are facing, and I work hard for my teammates,” Douglas said. “I cannot do anything without my teammates; everything we do is a team effort.”
Biola starts strong againsts La Sierra
This team effort was proven as the Eagles got off to a quick start against La Sierra, scoring 10 straight points as the set started. This point gap would eventually allow Biola to cruise to a 25-18 victory.
The Golden Eagles, ready to tie up the match, came into the second set ready to fight. The scoreboard would remain close throughout the first half of the set until a pair of aces would put them up 14-12. Biola responded to these aces with a six-point run, allowing them to take back the lead. Unfortunately, though, multiple mistakes by Biola allowed for a 7-1 run for La Sierra, putting them up 24-23. A kill by sophomore Amy Weststeyn and a solo block by Mather put Biola up by one until a hitting error by La Sierra allowed for Biola to take the set, giving them a 2-0 lead in the match.
The third set proved to be much like the second, as Biola opened with a strong 14-6 lead. Again, unforced errors put La Sierra within a few points of Biola. The game went back and forth for the rest of the set until a kill by Douglas and an ace by
Arnitz allowed for the Eagles to take the match victory over La Sierra.
Eagles struggle at start against MidAmerica
The first set of the match against MidAmerica proved to be difficult for the Eagles, as the Pioneers opened with a commanding 9-2 lead. Biola slowly closed the gap, coming within five points. A kill by Weststeyn shifted the momentum from the Pioneers to the Eagles as Biola went on a 13-1 run, leading to a set victory of 25-18.
“Before a big momentum change happens in a game, there is a lot leading up to it,” Weststeyn said. “Our team always has a choice; we can either break down and not play our game, or we can come together to make it work. Whenever a big kill happens, there is always an outstanding pass and set that come before it, so it's all about the team fighting through those situations together.”
The second set started out with even play on both sides. Biola went on a 6-1 run to widen the point gap, eventually leading them to score six of the final eight points and take the victory 25-18.
Biola opened the third set strong and ready to take the overall victory. A 12-4 lead allowed them to maintain the gap throughout the entire set, pushing them to their second match victory of the day.
Biola jumps back on the court this Saturday against The Master’s College at 7 p.m. They will then return to Chase Gymnasium on Sept. 18 to host Vanguard University in their second conference match of the season.
