IRVINE, Calif. --- Biola Volleyball continued its winning streak on Saturday afternoon, sweeping Menlo 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-6) to close the Vanguard/Concordia Kick-Off Tournament.
The victory marked Biola's fourth-consecutive sweep as the Eagles continued their strong stretch of play. BU finished with 49 kills on a .316 hitting percentage while holding Menlo to 24 kills and a .029 clip. Biola also totaled nine blocks and did not surrender a service ace in the match.
The opening set was tightly contested early, with the teams trading points through a 12-12 tie. Biola began to pull away from there, using kills from Juliana Van Ommering and Madison Moore to build a 15-12 advantage. The Eagles continued to create separation down the stretch, and Moore put away the final kill for the 25-18 win.
Menlo responded by taking an 11-5 lead in the second set, but Biola steadily worked its way back. The Eagles evened the score at 13-13 before taking control with the frame tied at 15. Behind the serving of Camille Solovjev, Biola scored five-straight points, highlighted by back-to-back kills from Hannah Hanson and two from Alex Strating, to move ahead 20-15. Menlo made a late push, but Savannah Simpson closed out the 25-22 victory with a kill.
The Eagles left no doubt in the third.
Biola raced out to a 6-0 lead and never allowed Menlo to get comfortable. With the Eagles ahead 13-6, BU scored the final 12 points of the match, with Van Ommering serving the final 11, to complete the sweep with a 25-6 win. Biola hit .536 in the frame with 16 kills and just one error while holding Menlo to a negative-.138 hitting percentage.
Moore led the Eagles offensively with 13 kills on a .321 hitting percentage, while Van Ommering added 12 kills, 11 digs and two service aces. Simpson was efficient at the net, recording eight kills without an attack error on 16 swings for a .500 hitting percentage while adding five block assists.
Hanson contributed across the board with seven kills on a .333 hitting percentage, 12 assists, six digs and three block assists. Lexi Lambert directed the offense with 24 assists, while Sophia Knevelbaard led the Eagles defensively with 13 digs.
Biola improved to 5-2 on the season and returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. for their home opener at Chase Gymnasium.
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