FRESNO, CALIF. --- Biola Volleyball took care of business on the road Friday afternoon against the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific in four sets earning the win 3-1 at FPU Special Events Center.
The Eagles lengthened their win streak to nine matches (25-20, 25-13,16-25, 25-20) maintaining their No. 2 spot in the PacWest just below Chaminade who is 25-5 overall and 15-3 in the PacWest.
The Sunbirds (7-20, 4-13 PacWest) began this match with some heat against Biola, posting a 4-0 scoring run. The Eagles (18-7, 14-3 PacWest) didn't allow them to get very far since they came back strong from killer serves by veteran Sami Hover leading Biola to score four points to make the score tied 4-4. A kill by Madison Beebe to put BU back in the game.
Throughout this opening set both teams continued to piece together multiple points keeping the match very close,
Dominique Kirton came in clutch the only Eagle to have a double-double with 12 kills and 20 digs to help guide the Eagles to take set one, 25-20.
The Eagles came out swinging in set number two, as the game began with a kill by Beebe. Biola found some rhythm early with a 2-0 run as a kill by
Abby Brewster and an attack error from the opposing team provided a 8-4 advantage.
BU found more success midway through set two with four rallies anchored by Beebe, assisted from
Vanessa Garcia and great serves from Kirton to take the lead 18-7. The Eagles took set two after an attack error by Chloe Melis for the 25-13 win.
Madison Beebe led the eagles with 19 kills, .472 hitting percentage, one service ace, one block, and one dig on the night.
Vanessa Garcia provided 39 assists, three kills, and six digs helping the team lead to victory.
These two programs continued to battle out this PacWest contest in set three as the Sunbirds had the Eagles' number in this game, almost having the lead the whole set.
Both teams capitalized on each other's errors and worked together to rally and go on a few point runs with BU only being down by three 13-16. FPU went on a six-point run with their middle blocker doing her job placing the ball in the right spot making it hard for the Eagles to defend, adding those six points to 14-22. Fresno Pacific capped off the set victory at 16-25 with a kill to take the set win.
Number four began much like the third set, each squad trading points, keeping the score within a point or two of their opponent. The Eagles produced another rally to take the be in a six-point lead 13-7.
BU was able to shut down their opponent with another run of 4-0 late in the set, as a Kirton kill assisted from Marissa Price alongside mistakes by FPU saw the score reach match point at 24-17.
The home team did manage to close the gap by three points with a run of their own, but Biola did not back down and took hold of set four to finish the victory 25-20.
Biola is back in action and looks to continue their win streak Saturday afternoon as they take on Academy of Art (8-16, 5-11 PacWest). For live stats links and updates check athletics.biola.edu.
