Box Score

BLUEFIELD, Va. – Bluefield College volleyball nearly grabbed a set from Shawnee State, but the visiting Bears withstood the Rams' effort to take a 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-14) win, Saturday afternoon at the Dome Gymnasium.

The two teams had five different ties early on in the first set before the Bears broke away. Following a 9-9 tie, SSU went on a 6-2 run to grab a 15-11 advantage. Bluefield tallied a couple more points, but another 6-2 run closed out the opener 25-16.

The Rams had their chances in the second set, as they led through much of the second set. After opening a 5-3 lead, Shawnee State came back to knot the set at 8-8. After trading points, BC scored two straight for an 11-9 lead. They gained as much as a four-point advantage, but the Bears began to claw back late in the set. Bluefield was up 20-17, but the set became tied at 21. SSU then closed the set with four of the final five points for the 25-22 set win and a 2-0 lead.

A 10-8 lead from SSU in the third led to a BC timeout from head coach Jim Butski, while another timeout was called once the Bears took a 14-9 lead. The Bears were in the midst of a rally in which they scored nine straight points to take a commanding 20-9 hold on the set. They then eased in for the 25-14 set win and match victory.

Bluefield's attack was led by Jasmine Morrow's 15 kills, as she tallied a hitting percentage of .273. Sydney Spencer totaled 19 assists, and also led the team with 12 digs on the day. Morrow's defensive effort included three solo blocks and nine digs.

Bluefield returns to the road for Mid-South Conference play, taking on the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. ET followed by Cumberland University (Tenn.) on Oct. 26 at noon ET.