The Eagles celebrate their victory against Vanguard University. | Job Ang/THE CHIMES
Correction: Biola won the second set against Master's 25-23, not 25-13. The Chimes regrets this error.
The Biola Eagles maintained their winning streak in volleyball this week by successfully sweeping not only The Master’s College on Saturday but also Vanguard University on Tuesday night. The Eagles’ record is now 15-1 overall and 2-0 in the Golden State Athletic Conference.
“The focus is definitely not on the win streak but mainly on playing the best we can each and every time out,” said head coach Aaron Seltzer about their record. “The girls are working so hard each and every day and this is what develops your identity on the court. As long as we focus on playing the best we can against each opponent, the wins will come.”
Master's unable to stay with Biola
The Eagles played against No. 13 Master’s on Saturday in both teams’ first GSAC match of the season. The No. 4 Eagles came out strong in the first set by keeping the Mustangs under 15 points and ending the set at 25-13.
The second set was closer in score, with the Mustangs able to keep in close range of the Eagles. Once again though, the Eagles pulled together for the second win, 25-23.
The Eagles dug down deep and surged ahead and immediately took control of the third set, finishing out the match with a 25-13 win.
“We wanted to start the conference out strong, and we did pretty well,” said freshman outside hitter Joclyn Kirton.
Eagles hold control over Vanguard
The Eagles played their second conference match on Tuesday, Sept. 18 in Chase Gymnasium against the Vanguard Lions.
The first set was a close race to 25, and for a good portion of the match the Lions held the lead. The Eagles came from behind and fought against the Lions until the final point. The excitement in the crowd grew as senior Christine Douglas kept a loose ball in play so that sophomore Amy Weststeyn could execute a kill for the set point. The first set ended at 25-22, Biola.
The Eagles took the momentum and excitement they had gained from the first set and used it to propel them into a solid lead for the second set, winning 25-13.
Both teams fought for the lead during the beginning of the third set with the Lions pulling ahead and the Eagles close behind. Biola picked up momentum when they reached the 10th point, with Vanguard trailing by three. The Eagles continued to execute kills against the Lions to secure the victory with a score of 25-16.
Biola hopes to continue dominance into GSAC
The Eagles will play against the Hope International University Lions on Saturday, Sept. 22. The team has a tried-and-true method of preparation.
“We’re going to go the same way we always do — just focus on our practice, work hard, come out into the game excited but focused. We don’t want to assume that any team is not going to play well, they always do, but also go out there knowing that we’re a good team and we can win,” Douglas said.
Their next home game will be against Westmont College on Saturday, Sept. 29.
