LA MIRADA --- Biola Volleyball kept rolling Tuesday night, sweeping Chaminade 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-20) inside Chase Gymnasium to extend its winning streak to 10 matches. The Eagles improved to 11-2 overall and remained perfect in PacWest play at 6-0.
The 10-match winning streak ties Biola's 2021 team for the second-longest of the program's Division II era, trailing only the 2018 team's 12-straight victories. Tuesday's result also marked the Eagles' 10th sweep through 13 matches, with 10 of Biola's 11 wins this season coming in straight sets.
"I just feel so encouraged," stated
Juliana Van Ommering. "Having three games really close, back to back, and being able to finish out strong and stay consistent has just been awesome. I'm super proud of my team for working together, working with each other, and playing for the Lord."
Biola put together another balanced offensive performance, totaling 43 kills on a .301 hitting percentage while holding Chaminade to a .184 clip. The Eagles also finished with six service aces and seven blocks.
The Eagles began to create separation midway through the opening set. Leading 10-8, Biola used a 4-0 run highlighted by back-to-back blocks from Addison Brown and Savannah Simpson to extend the advantage to 14-8. Chaminade cut into the lead late, but kills from Haylee LaFontaine and Brown helped BU close out the frame 25-17.
Chaminade provided its biggest challenge in the second, building an 18-13 advantage before the Eagles responded with five-straight points to even the score. After the Silverswords briefly moved back in front, Biola answered again, turning a 19-18 deficit into a 22-19 lead behind a Van Ommering kill, a Simpson kill and consecutive Chaminade errors. LaFontaine finished off the 25-22 comeback with a kill to give BU a two-set advantage.
Biola took control early in the third. The Eagles turned a 6-4 lead into a 13-4 advantage behind a seven-point run with Alex Strating at the service line. Simpson recorded two kills during the stretch, while Strating added an ace. Chaminade made a late push, but BU held on for the 25-20 win to complete the sweep.
Van Ommering led all players with 12 kills on a .323 hitting percentage and added seven digs. LaFontaine followed with 10 kills while hitting .368, while Simpson continued her impressive season with eight kills on 12 attempts and just one error for a .583 hitting percentage. Simpson entered the match leading the PacWest and ranking 10th in NCAA Division II with a .430 hitting percentage; Tuesday's performance raised her season mark to .441.
Emily Page and Hannah Hanson combined to run the offense, with Page dishing out 21 assists and Hanson adding 18. Caprice Cooper led the back row with eight digs and three service aces, while Sophia Knevelbaard added five digs.
Biola returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Westmont.
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