BLUEFIELD, Va. - The Bluefield University women's volleyball team fell to Carolina University in straight sets Thursday evening inside the Dome Gymnasium.
Following the loss, BU moves to 2-2 on the season while Carolina improves to 2-3.
Set 1
Carolina grabbed an early 4-2 advantage before a service ace from sophomore defensive specialist Sienna Vitelli and a kill from senior middle hitter Ella Gawellek helped the Rams take a 4-3 lead. The Bruins answered with a 5-0 run to pull ahead 8-4, but Bluefield battled back behind kills from Gawellek and junior right side Scarlett Hulse. Hulse then added an ace before sophomore outside hitter Faith Alsup recorded a kill to bring BU within three, 12-9. Carolina regained control late in the frame, eventually taking the opening set, 25-17.
Set 2
The second frame opened with Carolina taking a 2-0 lead before freshman right side Ryann Marsh and freshman middle hitter Zoey Wenstrom registered kills to keep the Rams within one, 3-2. Carolina stretched its advantage to 15-6 midway through the set, but BU responded with a 5-0 run highlighted by three kills from Gawellek to cut the deficit to 19-15. Hulse added a service ace as the Rams continued to fight, but Carolina closed out the frame, 25-20, to take a 2-0 match lead.
Set 3
Carolina jumped out to a 6-1 advantage in the final set, but Bluefield began chipping away with kills from Alsup and Marsh. Vitelli later sparked a 5-0 run with a service ace, while Gawellek and Marsh added kills as BU cut the deficit to 17-16. The Bruins responded with three-straight points, however, and held on to claim the final set, 25-20, completing the sweep.
Match Stats
Gawellek led all Bluefield players with nine kills, while Alsup added eight kills and four digs. Hulse finished with five kills, three assists, and an ace, while Wenstrom chipped in four kills. Sophomore setter Kylee Sturgill recorded a team-high 15 assists, with graduate setter Izabella Lechuga adding 11 assists. Vitelli paced the Rams defensively with 12 digs and added two service aces.
The Rams return to action Saturday at 3:00 p.m. inside the Dome Gymnasium, hosting Sweet Briar in a non-conference contest.
