NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Bridgewater College women's volleyball split the two matches in the final day of the Christopher Newport Tri-Match Invitational dropping the first match against No. 12 nationally ranked Trinity (Texas) in three sets and bouncing back in the second match against William Paterson to capture a four-set victory Saturday night.  

The Eagles dropped one and won one against No. 12 Trinity (Texas) and William Paterson on the road. 

The Basics 

Score: 

Match 1: Bridgewater (BCE) 0, Trinity (Texas) 3 

Match 2: Bridgewater (BCE) 3, William Paterson (WPU) 1 

Records: BCE (4-3); Trinity (5-1), WPU (2-5) 

How It Happened 

Match 1 

• Although the Eagles were bested in straight sets, their competitiveness in each set showed through beyond the box score. The Tigers charged first and were tough to crack the rest of the way. In the first set, Trinity commanded multiple scoring runs bringing their scoring rally to a comfortable place halfway through the set. The Crimson & Gold managed to bring the score back up to 14 apiece but Trinity again surged ahead to take hold of the first set at 25-23. 

• In the second set, Trinity found an early lead and pushed far enough ahead which became a tough task to break. The Tigers used a strong six-point scoring rally to bolster their lead and take the second set at 25-15. 

• Although down two sets, BCE still fought hard in the third set. The Eagles stormed to an early lead in the set. They strung along efficient scoring plays to enlarge the score to 13-7 off a four-point scoring run. However, a sudden shift in action turned the momentum towards Trinity again and it finished out the final set on a nine-point run to close it out, 25-23. 

Match 2 

• The Eagles got the early momentum to propel them past the Pioneers in four sets. In the first set, BCE put down dominant point streaks which eventually ignited a four-point run started by Claire Griffith. The Eagles got the edge in the first set, 25-22. 

• A very back-and-forth sequence of scoring from both teams occurred. BCE never got enough footing in the second set and found themselves fighting back. The four-point rally by WPU helped finish off the set going to the opponent at 25-17. 

• In the third set, BCE quickly recovered from the off set previously and got to work. Reagan Stoop, Griffith, and Gabby Atwell worked in tandem to get the job done in the third along with steady defense. The Eagles lunged forward to a dominant three-point run to end the set, 25-22.  

• BCE finished what they started as they moved into the fourth set. Early in the set, Stoop knocked down back-to-back kills to keep the momentum going. Halfway through the set, the Eagles built a commanding 14-7 lead with the help of a five-point rally. Soon after, another scoring run ensued, enough to lift the Eagles safely past the fighting Pioneers for a 25-22 final set score.  

Match Notes 

Match 1 

• The Eagles were tested in the matchup between the No. 12 ranked Tigers. Bridgewater struggled in effective hitting percentage (.196), and even still with an uncharacteristic stat still was just slightly below the Tigers in attacks. Trinity had 45 kills and BCE had 41. 

• Anna Black led all digs leaders in this match posting 26 digs.  

• Both teams totaled the same number of kills in the first set and third set.  

Match 2 

• The Eagles and the Pioneers were dead even in kills (57) and points (68). 

• Reagan Stoop continued to do what she does best, leading the way in offensive categories with 18 kills including 17 digs on the defensive side. 

• Lindsay Kelley also posted a strong 39 assists in the win.  

Up Next 

The Eagles are back in action for a midweek match against a conference foe on Wednesday, Sept. 10 on the road. First serve against Hollins is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.