SIOUX CITY, Iowa --- For the second time this season, Biola recorded a sweep against Bellevue University, this time earning a 25-21, 25-21, 25-17 victory on Wednesday night, clinching a berth in the bracket portion of the NAIA Volleyball National Championships.

The Eagles improve to 27-8 on the season and remain perfect in pool play at 2-0. The Bruins fall to 34-13 and to 0-2 in Pool F. 

Sophomore outside hitter Christine Douglas recorded a match-high 16 kills to pace Biola, which moves out of pool play for the ninth time in 10 NAIA tournament appearances. The Eagle middle blockers had a solid outing as well with senior Tavea Hampton recording eight kills and two blocks and sophomore Rachel Buckley posting an impressive seven kills with a .636 attack percentage, adding three blocks.

Overall, the Eagles had a solid offensive match, hitting .312 and posting a .300 or better for the second time in as many tournament matches. 

Bellevue got the early jump on Biola in the first set, opening a 10-7 as the Eagles struggled defensively. However, Biola figured things out and used a long 9-4 run to take a 16-14 lead and force a Bruin timeout. The Bruins would cut the deficit to one on three occasions, but could get no closer.

In the second set, Biola would take the early edge, jumping out to a 12-7 lead in the early going. Still leading 16-11 a bit later, Bellevue used a short three-point run to close the gap to two at 16-14. Biola responded by stretching the lead back to five with a three-point run of its own only to see the Bruins answer back with four-straight to cut the lead to one at 19-18.

Bellevue eventually tied the game at 20-20 off an ace and the teams would exchange points to make it 21-21. But the Eagles got the ball back on a kill by Douglas and rattled off the final three points to take and the set 25-21.

Third set was back and forth from the start until the Eagles pulled away late. With the score tied at 14-14, Biola rattled off four-straight points to key an 11-3 run to end the match. Three-straight errors by the Bruins would end the contest with Biola holding on for the sweep.

The match marked Biola's second victory of the season against Bellevue. The Eagles swept the Bruins during the Northwestern College tournament in the final week of August.


The victory gives the Eagles a perfect 2-0 record in Pool Play, matching the 2-0 record of GSAC rival and top seed in the pool, California Baptist. The two teams do battle on Thursday at 3:15 p.m. CST to determine the winner of the pool. Bracket play begins on Friday morning with the top four remaining seeds earning a morning bye. The bracket schedule will be determined on Thursd

Biola has at least reached the quarterfinals in eight of its previous nine tournament appearances, advancing to the semifinals seven times and the finals twice.