LA MIRADA --- Biola Volleyball came through in a five-set thriller on Saturday afternoon, defeating Hawaii Hilo 3-2 (15-25, 25-19, 25-19, 16-25, 15-11) at Chase Gymnasium. The Eagles erased a four-point deficit in the decisive fifth set to improve to 9-2 overall and remain unbeaten in PacWest play at 4-0.
Hawaii Hilo controlled the opening set, building an early advantage on its way to a 25-15 win. Biola responded in the second, overcoming an early deficit and gradually taking control. Juliana Van Ommering helped close out the frame with a pair of late kills before delivering a service ace on set point to secure the 25-19 victory and even the match.
The Eagles carried that momentum into the third. After the teams traded points early, Biola turned a 5-5 tie into an 11-6 advantage. Alex Strating provided a spark at the net, while Caprice Cooper added two service aces later in the frame. BU remained in front the rest of the way, with Payton Tully putting away the final point for another 25-19 win and a 2-1 match lead.
Hilo answered in the fourth. After the teams battled to a 14-14 tie, the Vulcans began to create separation and closed the frame on an 11-2 run to take the set 25-16 and force a decisive fifth.
The Eagles saved their biggest response for the final set. Hilo jumped ahead 4-1 and eventually stretched its lead to 11-7.
With the Eagles facing a four-point deficit, Strating delivered a simple message to her teammates during a timeout.
"This is our home court. Let's defend it," said Strating.
Biola did exactly that, responding with eight unanswered points to end the match. Van Ommering started the comeback with back-to-back kills before three-consecutive Hilo attack errors brought the Eagles even at 11-11. Camille Solovjev followed with a service ace, and BU never looked back. Strating put away the final point to complete the 15-11 comeback and send Biola to its eighth-straight victory.
"Pressure is such a privilege, such a privilege from the Lord," stated Strating. "I'm just really grateful I could be out here with all these amazing girls who just cheer me on all the time."
Strating was also ready when the ball came her way for match point.
"I saw two up, and I saw the libero back, and I said, 'This is my tip,'" said Strating. "I hit it all the time. I was like, just another time, just another time in practice."
Van Ommering led the Eagles with 15 kills, while Haylee LaFontaine added 13. Strating finished with eight kills on a .385 hitting percentage and added seven block assists, while Savannah Simpson contributed six kills on a .364 clip.
Lexi Lambert led Biola with 21 assists, while Hannah Hanson added 20 assists and 13 digs. Sophia Knevelbaard anchored the back row with a team-high 15 digs, and Cooper finished with four service aces and eight digs.
Biola returns to Chase Gymnasium on Monday for a 7 p.m. matchup against Hawaii Pacific.
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