Box Score LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola Volleyball must've had some pent up anger because the team came out hitting the ball with tenacity against San Diego Christian on Thursday night in a 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-14) victory.
The Eagles were looking to shake off an unfavorable result from the last time out and did so in a big way as they fired on all cylinders against the Hawks and playing with the added energy of being back at home for the first time in a week and a half.
"Loved the energy we came out with," said Head Coach
Aaron Seltzer. "I think we ran our middles well and it was nice to get all of our setters worked in. It was just a good bounce back win."
Biola got started right away by winning the first seven points of the match to virtually eliminate any chance of the Hawks taking the first set.
Christina DenBoer was remarkable in the opening third of the match as she piled on five kills while committing just one error.
Becca Branch and
Ashton Arbuthnot rotated as the setter in the Eagles' easy first set win and tacked on 11 assists for Biola's match-high 14 kills.
The second and third sets did not come as easily for Biola as it trailed late into each set after getting off to slow starts. In set two the Eagles rattled off four straight points to turn a 13-11 deficit into a 15-13 advantage that would hold for the rest of the set. It was a streak where the Eagles took seven of eight points that helped them overcome an early disadvantage in the third set before cruising to an 11-point win.
Biola's blocking was strong throughout the night, but it seemed to get stronger and stronger in the latter stages of the match. The Eagles got 10 of their 12 team blocks in the final two sets.
Alyssa Mason and
Karly Dantuma were the standout blockers on this evening. The duo combined to be a part of eight of the Eagles' 12 blocks. Dantuma ended with one solo block and three assists and Mason had five block assists, including three with Dantuma.
"Karly did do a very good job blocking today," said Seltzer. "She also transitioned well and got up to swing at a lot of balls."
Dantuma, Mason and DenBoer were also the game's best attackers with eight, seven and six kills, respectively. Eight was also the highest kill total on the other side of the net as Molly Witzmann finished with eight.
Biola improves to 24-3 with the win and moves to 13-2 in Golden State Athletic Conference play. The Eagles have just one final home game this season, which is the team's senior night next Tuesday, Nov. 10, against No. 4 Vanguard.
"We're really excited for senior night on Tuesday," said Seltzer. "It would be really nice to have everyone come out. I heard there's some great giveaways and other things going on."
The game will be a Biola Blackout where all fans are encouraged to wear as much black as possible. SGA will host a pregame "tailgate" in front of the gym beginning at 6:30 p.m.
