BLUEFIELD – Bluefield University men's volleyball picked up its first Appalachian Athletic Conference win of the season Saturday afternoon with a four-set win over the Truett McConnell University Bears at the Dome Gymnasium.
INSIDE THE MATCH

• In the opening set the Rams opened a five-point lead on a service ace by Colby Mutter, forcing the Bears to call time. BU moved ahead by seven before TMU rallied to within four at 17-13 and later three. Following a TMU time out Mason Lloyd served up an ace to make it 22-17. BU took set one 25-22.
• Bluefield rallied to tie the second set at three and later at 13. Bluefield took its first lead 14-13 on an ace by Kyle Pietrzak. Truett McConnell tied at 17. BU closed the set on an 8-5 run to win 25-22 and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
• The Bears controlled set three from the outset and rolled to a 25-14 win.
• The fourth set was the most exciting of the match. BU opened a 4-0 lead and TMU tied at nine. The teams battled throughout and after the marathon the Rams claimed a 30-28 win to take the match 3-1.

LEADERS

• Pietrzak finished with 19 kills, two aces, and two blocks.
• Lloyd had 14 kills with two blocks.
• Benedict Somes compiled 39 assists and six digs.
• Mutter tallied 20 digs.
• Noah Clements had 18 digs with eight kills.

NEXT IN LINE

• The Rams return to the court Friday in an AAC match against Warner University at the Dome Gymnasium.