Box Score KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Bluefield University women's volleyball opened Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament play Friday night at the Meadowview Resort & Conference Center. The third seed in the tournament, the Rams held off the Brenau University Tigers 3-2. With the win the Rams advance to the semifinals where they will take on second seed Bryan College, Saturday afternoon at 12:30 with the winner advancing to the championship match at 4:30.
The Rams wore pink ribbons in honor of Tonia Steed. Steed, the sister of Bluefield head coach Buddy Gallemore recently passed away. Pink was her favorite color, and in memory of Steed and as a tribute to their coach, the Rams donned the ribbons.
INSIDE THE MATCH

• Brenau came out hot in the opening set and opened an early four-point lead. Bluefield got within two, but the Tigers went on a 5-0 run to extend their lead to 14-8 midway through the set. Brenau led by as many as 10 points before Bluefield closed the gap. Brenau took the opening set 25-19.
• After a 10-all tie in the second set, the Rams pulled away, outscoring the Tigers 15-6 to take a 25-16 win to even the match at a set apiece.
• In the third set Bluefield and Brenau battled early, and the teams were tied at 11. The Tigers went on a 14-3 run to end the set with a 25-14 win to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
• The Rams charged back in the third set. After a tie at 11 Bluefield went on an 8-0 run to take a 19-11 lead. The Rams won the set 25-17 to force a fifth and deciding set.
• The teams battled for each point in the fifth set with neither holding more than a two-point advantage.  Down two, Bluefield tied the final set at 13 and then took a 14-13 lead and claimed the set 15-13 to win the match.

LEADERS

• Adriana Soto Alvarez had a team-high 14 kills.
• Leslie Flores had 11 kills with 21 digs.
• Georgia Lewis finished with 27 digs.
• Nayerly Jimenez dished out 42 assists.

NEXT IN LINE

• The AAC semifinals against Bryan, 12:30 Saturday afternoon.