BLUEFIELD, Va. – The Bluefield University women's volleyball team earned a 3-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference victory over Montreat on Friday evening inside The Dome, winning 28-26, 25-16 and 25-19.
The Rams improved to 5-15 overall and 2-12 in AAC play with the win.
Set 1
Bluefield battled through a tightly contested opening set, overcoming an early deficit to take control midway through the frame. Montreat built a 11-6 advantage, but the Rams responded with a run sparked by kills from sophomore outside hitter Faith Alsup and sophomore setter Kylee Sturgill to pull within one at 16-15. The teams traded points down the stretch, with senior outside hitter Chesed Russell and senior middle hitter Morgan Wigg contributing key kills to keep BU within reach. After the Cavaliers reached set point at 24-23, the Rams answered to force extra points. Wigg and senior right side Ella Gawellek delivered late kills, helping Bluefield close out the set 28-26.
Set 2
Montreat opened the second set with four straight points, but Bluefield quickly responded. The Rams scored seven consecutive points to turn a 4-0 deficit into an 7-4 lead, with junior right side Scarlett Hulse contributing a service ace and Gawellek adding multiple kills. Bluefield continued to build its advantage, with Russell and Alsup helping extend the lead to 17-7. The Rams maintained control through the remainder of the set, closing out a 25-16 win to move within one set of the match.
Set 3
The teams exchanged points early in the third set before Bluefield began to create separation. Kills from Wigg, Russell, Hulse and Gawellek helped the Rams build a lead, while Alsup added several points on the attack. Bluefield held a 17-12 advantage before continuing to push ahead. Russell recorded a service ace during the closing stretch, and sophomore defensive specialist Sienna Vitelli added an ace of her own as the Rams moved toward match point. Alsup finished the contest with a kill, securing the 25-19 set victory and completing the sweep.
Match Stats
Alsup led the Rams with 15 kills while hitting .290, adding a service ace. Gawellek finished with 11 kills and hit .259, while Russell and Wigg recorded seven kills apiece. Wigg hit .400 and contributed two block assists, while Hulse added four kills and two service aces.
Sturgill paced the offense with 23 assists, while graduate setter Izabella Lechuga added 14 assists. Vitelli led the defensive effort with 29 digs and contributed three assists and two service aces.
The Rams return to action Saturday, hosting Truett McConnell in an AAC matchup inside The Dome. First serve is scheduled for 11 a.m.
