BLUEFIELD, Va. – The Bluefield University women's volleyball team defeated cross-town rival Bluefield State 3-0 in a non-conference match Tuesday evening at The Dome Gymnasium.

With the win, the Rams improve to 2-0 on the season while BSU falls to 1-4.

Set 1
Both teams traded points early, but BU broke away at the 8-8 mark. Senior outside hitter Liangelys Santana and junior middle hitter Morgan Wigg delivered back-to-back kills to give the Rams a two-point edge. Junior right side Ella Gawellek followed with an ace, and senior middle hitter Abbey Boehm added a kill to cap a four-point swing and push BU ahead 12-8.

The Big Blues responded with a run to regain control, but junior outside hitter Chesed Russell sparked a 5-1 Bluefield surge with three kills, putting BU back on top 18-16. Gawellek added two late kills, and Wigg closed the frame with the final point as Bluefield secured the 25-22 win and a 1-0 match lead.
 

Set 2
The second set mirrored the first, as both sides battled back and forth before a 3-1 Bluefield State run gave the Big Blues a 15-12 advantage. Kills from Wigg and Santana trimmed the margin, but BSU extended its lead to 20-16.

Out of a timeout, Gawellek took control, recording two kills and teaming with Wigg for a block to bring the Rams within one at 20-19. Senior right side Rachel Sasson's service ace later tied the set at 21-all. After BSU briefly regained the lead, Bluefield closed on a 4-0 run to take the frame 25-22 and a 2-0 match advantage. The rally was highlighted by freshman setter Kylee Sturgill's first career kill, a service ace from freshman defensive specialist Sienna Vitelli, and two kills from Santana.
 

Set 3
BU started strong in the third, jumping ahead 9-5 behind three Wigg kills. The Rams held off a BSU push with a 3-0 run sparked by Boehm to stay in front 13-9.

The Big Blues rallied to a 16-14 lead, but a kill from Santana and a BSU attack error brought the set back even. Russell and Santana stepped up once again, powering a four-point swing that gave the Rams a 22-19 advantage. Boehm sealed the sweep with the final two points, as Bluefield closed out the set 25-23.
 

Match Stats
Santana led all players with 16 kills and added 16 digs for a double-double. Gawellek (nine kills) and Wigg (eight kills) were key contributors offensively, while defensive specialist Eledy Torres posted a game-high 19 digs and Vitelli chipped in 13.

Senior setter Izabella Lechuga paced BU with 34 assists, and Sturgill added 13. The victory marked Bluefield's sixth straight win over Bluefield State, a streak dating back to 2017.
 

The Rams host Sweet Briar College September 10 at 6 p.m. in The Dome Gymnasium.