![Senior middle blocker Amy Weststeyn spikes the ball against Hope International on Oct. 11. | Jenny Oetzell/THE CHIMES [file photo]](https://chimesnewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/SP03-Volleyball_JB-1583.jpg)
The Biola University Eagles volleyball team handed their rivals, the Concordia University Eagles, their first Golden State Athletic Conference loss in a match Tuesday night. This was the second time the teams faced each other, with Concordia getting the best of Biola in a five-set thriller the first time they met. Biola evened the series with a four-set victory at Concordia. This brings Concordia’s conference record to 8-1, and overall record to 22-2. Biola improves to 9-1 in GSAC play, and 19-4 overall.
Senior middle blocker Amy Weststeyn, junior outside hitter Alyssa Mason and junior outside hitter Joclyn Kirton led Biola in a solid offensive effort, accounting for 37 of Biola’s 60 kills during the match, while only committing 9 errors between the three of them. Weststeyn led all attackers in kill percentage at .457 as well as garnering six blocks.
The first set started out slowly, with both teams staying close to each other until the score was 13-14 in favor of Biola, then Biola started slowly pulling away. They would go on to win the set 25-20, against a Concordia team that was not playing with much enthusiasm or energy.
Concordia changed something in the huddle between the first and second sets as they came out looking like a different team. The set started out almost the same way as the first, but then Concordia came alive when Biola was winning 11-8. Concordia took over the flow of the game from there, progressing to a comfortable 25-18 win.
Biola took control early in the third set and looked to take the easy win while leading Concordia 19-10. In response to their largest deficit faced this season, Concordia went on an 11-1 scoring run to take the lead at 21-20. However, Biola fought back and ended up winning the third set 25-22.
The fourth set would prove to be an intense battle between the two teams. Both sides took the upper hand during play, but eventually Biola came out on top with a 28-26 win in the fourth and final set.
Biola’s next match is at home against Cal State University-San Marcos at 7 p.m. on Oct. 21.
