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The Official Athletic Site of the Biola University Eagles

Scoreboard

Volleyball team celebrating
3
Winner BIOLA BU-VB 2-1
2
Northwest Nazarene NNU 0-3
Winner
BIOLA BU-VB
2-1
3
Final
2
Northwest Nazarene NNU
0-3
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
BIOLA BU-VB 25 17 24 25 15 (3)
Northwest Nazarene NNU 20 25 26 22 8 (2)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Marathon Match Goes To BU

Biola comes back from down 2-1 to win 3-2 in first match of the season.

NAMPA, Idaho --- The first match is out of the way. The first win is out of the way. The first five-setter is also out of the way. Biola Volleyball survived a big test against the Dixie State Trailblazers in the opening match of the Fairfield Inn Invitational and came away with a 3-2 (16-26, 25-22, 25-27, 25-18, 18-16) win.

"I thought this was a very tough first match of the year," said Head Coach Aaron Seltzer. "Both teams played great. I was super proud of the way we came back from a tough first set where we were super flat."

The Eagles and Trailblazers played twice last season when both teams were in the PacWest Conference and BU took both matches in three quick sets. Not this time. Biola had a hard time serving and receiving through the first three sets and that led them to a 2-1 deficit as the teams switched sides a third time.

Biola also was trailing DSU in blocks, despite having more length up front than the Trailblazers. All those issues seemed to work themselves out though in the fourth set as BU got back on track and cruised to a 25-18 win to force the decisive fifth set. Biola recorded six blocks in the fourth set and held Dixie State to a .000 hitting percentage to earn the chance to extend the match.

"We made a complete shift and changed the whole match," said Seltzer. "We adjusted well after sort of giving away the third set."

The fifth set was much more like the first three sets where both teams traded hot streaks and neither team managed a lead of more than two points at any spot in the set.

A Karly Dantuma kill took the set to 4-3, giving Biola its first lead of the frame and beginning a run of positive momentum for BU. Biola would go on to lead 8-6 at the side switch and work its way to a 14-12 lead with sophomore setter Vanessa Garcia serving for match point.

Dixie State showed its toughness by defending that match point and four others before Biola finally settled things down with a 17-16 advantage and Kaitlin O'Brien serving. DSU ended up hitting into the block and Biola secured a stressful first match with their 10th block of the day.

"It was awesome," said Sierra Bauder. "One of our season goals was to win our first game. We accomplished that and it feels good. We covered well, blocked well and executed. Our passers really picked it up in the fifth game. We finished strong."

Brinley Beresford and Bauder combined for the stuff on the final play. Both seniors had great matches, with Bauder looking especially good. The middle blocker recorded a match-high 18 kills and got a hand on four blocks. Beresford accounted for 30 of Biola's 49 assists, racked up three digs and four kills in her typical all-around performance.

Both of Biola's middles were key to the win today as sophomore Bekah Roth did her part when in the rotation with nine kills and six blocks. She and Bauder were consistent sources of good attacks, hitting .364 and .519, respectively.

Hannah Van Warmerdam had her number called on early, coming off the bench and making a noticeable impact on Biola's efforts. The senior was second on the team with 16 digs, took the second-most attack attempts on the team (31) and landed seven kills.

Biola's back row really sorted things out in the final two sets, only allowing Dixie State two service aces after the Trailblazers had 10 of those in the first three sets.

The Eagles move to 1-0 with the win and move on to face CSU Monterey Bay later Friday evening (4:00 p.m. PT). The Otters will be the team on shorter rest as they face hosts No. 19 Northwest Nazarene in the match following the Eagles' opener.
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