Gawellek records 21 kills, Wigg adds 10 kills and five aces as Bluefield honors six seniors in home finale
BLUEFIELD, Va. – November 7, 2026 – The Bluefield University women's volleyball team capped off an emotional Senior Night with a 3-1 victory over Kentucky Christian University on Saturday afternoon inside the Dome Gymnasium. The Rams honored six seniors before the match and followed the celebration with a strong offensive performance to secure the victory.
Bluefield (6-20) defeated Kentucky Christian (3-26) by set scores of 25-18, 25-23, 21-25, and 25-15, recording 61 kills and 10 service aces in front of the home crowd.
Prior to the opening serve, the Rams recognized Sydney James, Sienna Vitelli, Chesed Russell, Morgan Wigg, Ella Gawellek, and Izabella Lechuga for their dedication and contributions to the Bluefield volleyball program. The pregame ceremony celebrated the six seniors and their commitment to representing the university both on and off the court.
Rams Take Control Early
Bluefield opened the match with an impressive offensive performance, recording 16 kills and a .217 hitting percentage in the first set. The Rams established control and claimed the opening frame 25-18.
The second set proved much more competitive, featuring seven ties and two lead changes. Kentucky Christian challenged the Rams throughout the frame, but Bluefield delivered when it mattered most, securing a narrow 25-23 victory to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
The Knights refused to go quietly, responding with their strongest offensive performance of the afternoon in the third set. Kentucky Christian posted a .241 hitting percentage while committing just one attacking error, taking the set 25-21 to extend the match.
Bluefield quickly regained control in the fourth set, holding Kentucky Christian to a negative .091 hitting percentage. The Rams recorded 13 kills in the final frame while limiting the Knights to just four, cruising to a 25-15 victory to complete the Senior Night celebration.
Seniors Shine in Victory
Senior Ella Gawellek delivered a standout performance in her final regular-season home appearance, leading all players with 21 kills on 62 attacks. Gawellek also contributed a service ace, finishing with a match-high 22 points.
Fellow senior Morgan Wigg turned in one of her strongest all-around performances, recording 10 kills with a .240 hitting percentage. Wigg was especially effective from the service line, collecting five aces while adding two solo blocks and one block assist. Her 17.5 points ranked second on the team.
Junior Faith Alsup provided another major offensive contribution for the Rams, finishing with 15 kills and an impressive .333 hitting percentage. Alsup committed just three attacking errors on 36 attempts and added a service ace.
Senior setter Izabella Lechuga directed the Bluefield offense with 37 assists while adding 16 digs, three kills, and two service aces. Lechuga's performance helped the Rams generate 61 kills and maintain offensive pressure throughout the four-set contest.
Defensively, senior Sienna Vitelli anchored the back row with a match-high 39 digs, nearly matching Kentucky Christian's Kendall Tucker, who finished with 41. Vitelli also contributed four assists and a service ace.
Senior Sydney James added six kills and seven digs, while Chesed Russell contributed four kills, seven digs, two assists, and a block assist.
The collective effort of the six seniors helped provide a fitting conclusion to an evening dedicated to recognizing their contributions to the program.
Bluefield Controls the Statistical Battle
The Rams held a decisive advantage offensively, recording 61 kills compared to just 25 for Kentucky Christian. Bluefield also finished with 54 assists, 97 digs, and 10 service aces.
Kentucky Christian was led offensively by Elizabeth Rigsby, who recorded nine kills and contributed one solo block and five block assists. Amber Nelson added five kills, while Tucker anchored the Knights' defense with 41 digs.
Bluefield finished with a .138 team hitting percentage while holding the Knights to .041 for the match.
A Memorable Senior Night
While the victory added another win to the Rams' season record, Saturday's celebration carried significance beyond the final score.
For James, Vitelli, Russell, Wigg, Gawellek, and Lechuga, the afternoon represented an opportunity to reflect on their journeys as Bluefield University student-athletes and celebrate the relationships, experiences, and memories developed throughout their collegiate careers.
Their leadership and dedication have helped shape the identity of the Rams volleyball program, leaving an impact that extends beyond the volleyball court.
With a four-set victory and several outstanding individual performances, the Rams provided their six seniors with a memorable Senior Night inside the Dome.
#RiseUPRams
Match at a Glance
Final: Bluefield University 3, Kentucky Christian University 1
Set Scores: 25-18, 25-23, 21-25, 25-15
Records: Bluefield (6-20), Kentucky Christian (3-26)
Location: Dome Gymnasium – Bluefield, Virginia
Bluefield Statistical Leaders
