BLUEFIELD, Va. - The Bluefield University women's volleyball team dropped a pair of Appalachian Athletic Conference matches over the weekend, falling to Brenau, 3-1, Friday evening before suffering a 3-0 setback against Reinhardt Saturday at The Dome.
Following the two matches, BU moves to 4-11 overall and 1-8 in AAC play.
Game One: Brenau 3 - Bluefield 1
Set 1
The Rams battled through a back-and-forth opening set against Brenau. After trailing 5-2 early, Bluefield responded with a strong run, scoring seven consecutive points to take a 9-5 advantage. Senior outside hitter Chesed Russell provided multiple kills during the run, while senior middle hitter Ella Gawellek and junior right side Scarlett Hulse also contributed offensively. Brenau later tied the set at 17-17 and moved ahead late, but BU answered to tie the frame at 24-24. The Rams then scored the final two points, including kills from Russell and senior middle hitter Morgan Wigg, to claim a thrilling 28-26 victory.
Set 2
Brenau took control early in the second set, opening a 5-3 lead before extending its advantage to 9-5. Bluefield fought back to pull within one at 9-8 following kills from Wigg and Russell and a Russell service ace. The Bears responded with a run of their own, building a 15-12 lead before pulling away late. Brenau eventually took the set 25-18 to even the match at one set apiece.
Set 3
The third set remained competitive early, with the teams tied at 5-5 before Brenau moved ahead 8-5. Bluefield continued to battle, with Gawellek and Russell helping the Rams stay within striking distance. Brenau built a 21-16 lead, but BU responded with a furious rally, scoring six of the next seven points to take a 23-22 advantage. The Bears answered by forcing extra points and eventually won 27-25 to take a 2-1 lead.
Set 4
Bluefield started the fourth set with a 4-1 advantage and continued to hold the lead early, stretching the margin to 9-4 following a pair of Gawellek kills and an ace. Brenau slowly chipped away before tying the set at 17-17. The Rams answered with two points to regain a 19-18 lead, but the Bears closed the match with a 7-1 run to claim the set 25-20 and the match 3-1.
Match Stats
Russell and Wigg led the Rams with 12 kills apiece, while Russell added three service aces and 10 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Faith Alsup finished with 10 kills, while Gawellek and Hulse each recorded eight. Gawellek added two service aces, while Hulse contributed an ace. Sophomore setter Kylee Sturgill paced the Rams with 19 assists, while graduate setter Izabella Lechuga also recorded 19 assists and added four kills. Sophomore defensive specialist Sienna Vitelli led BU defensively with 17 digs and added 10 assists.
Game Two: Reinhardt 3 - Bluefield 0
Set 1
Bluefield and Reinhardt traded points early in the opening set, with the Rams holding a 6-6 tie after kills from Hulse and Gawellek. Reinhardt then used a strong stretch to build a 13-8 lead. The Rams continued to battle, with Russell, Gawellek and Wigg helping BU cut the deficit to 23-20 late. Reinhardt closed out the frame, however, winning 25-21.
Set 2
The Rams opened the second set with a 2-0 lead and remained within striking distance early. Gawellek recorded a kill and service ace as BU moved ahead 6-5, but Reinhardt responded with a 10-1 run to take a 16-8 advantage. Bluefield attempted to rally, with Gawellek and Lechuga contributing kills, but the Eagles held on for a 25-14 victory.
Set 3
Reinhardt jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the deciding set before Bluefield began to battle back. The Rams received kills from Hulse, Gawellek, Russell and Wigg during a stretch that erased the deficit and eventually tied the set at 10-10. Reinhardt regained control late, though, building a 16-10 lead before holding off a late Bluefield push to win the set 25-20 and complete the sweep.
Match Stats
Gawellek led the Rams with 10 kills while hitting .444 and added two service aces and two block assists. Wigg recorded seven kills while hitting .353, while Russell added five kills and a block assist. Hulse contributed three kills, while Lechuga finished with two kills, 11 assists and a service ace. Sturgill paced the Bluefield offense with 13 assists, while Vitelli led the defensive effort with 15 digs.
The Rams return to action Tuesday, traveling to Pikeville for an Appalachian Athletic Conference match. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
