After stumbling out of the gate in PacWest conference play, the Eagles have turned things around lately, going 3-1 in their last four games. Not coincidentally, those four games were the first time all season that sophomore outside hitter Brooke Watts was fully healthy. Watts sat out the first several games of the season with multiple injuries, forcing younger players such as freshman outside hitters Bekah Roth and Savannah Hilde to step up in her place. Although Roth and Hilde did an admirable job filling in, Watts’ return to the Eagles’ starting lineup has provided a pivotal spark. Her best game of the season came when the Eagles needed her most, leading the Eagles with 11 kills on a .350 hitting percentage against the Azusa Pacific University Cougars on Oct. 7. Watts had a knack for clutch moments, as two of those kills fueled comebacks when the Eagles trailed the Cougars in the first set and helped set the tone for an eventual Biola sweep. Watts continued her strong play two days later against Chaminade University, with 14 kills and two blocks to aid a hard-fought team victory. In his postgame interview on Oct. 7, head volleyball coach Aaron Seltzer expressed optimism about several other currently injured veterans returning to health soon. If they come back as strong as our latest Athlete of the Week, the Eagles have some very bright days ahead.

Last Two Games: 25 Kills, 2 blocks, .342 hitting percentage