The women’s volleyball team beat Eastern Oregon University in the semifinal round of the NAIA National Tournament on Dec. 5. The 30-6 Mountaineers lost by a set score of 3-1.

The Eagles won a close first set 26-24. Biola jumped to an early lead of 16-9 before Eastern Oregon scored six unanswered points to make the score 16-15. The teams continued to exchange blows until the score was tied 24-24. Two clutch kills from junior outside hitters Joclyn Kirton and Alyssa Mason won the set for Biola.

The Mountaineers answered back by winning the second set. The Eagles committed a match high of seven errors, resulting in a 20-25 second set score.  

Biola led Eastern Oregon for the entirety of the third set. Six kills by Kirton and only one team error committed helped the Eagles to a 25-13 third set victory. After three sets, Biola lead the Mountaineers two sets to one.  

The Eagles secured the match victory by beating Eastern Oregon in the fourth set 25-20. Junior outside hitter Britta Blaser contributed with five of Biola’s 15 kills.

Mason and Kirton led Biola with 13 kills each. Senior middle blocker Amy Weststeyn had a team high 10 block assists along with her 12 kills and freshman setter Allison Spencer provided the most assists at 25.

Biola is the last team from the Golden State Athletic Conference remaining in the tournament. Vanguard University lost to Missouri Baptist University 2-3 in the first round of single of bracket play, and Concordia University lost to Park University 1-3 in the quarter finals.

With this win, Biola earned a spot in the semifinals for the third year in a row. They play Park University Dec. 6, the first NAIA national tournament Park University has reached in five years. The winner of this game will play either Viterbo University or the University of Texas at Brownsville for the national championship.