PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Bridgewater College men's volleyball split a pair to take the first career win in program history over Bethany in four sets and then went down in three sets to Chatham on the road Saturday.
The Basics
Scores
Match 1: Bridgewater College Eagles (BCE) 3, Bethany College Bison (BB) 1
Match 2: Chatham Cougars (CC) 3, Bridgewater College Eagles (BCE) 0
Records: BCE (1-2), BB (0-1), CC (2-0)
How It Happened
Match 1
-
Both squads traded points for much of the opening set until the Eagles grasped a solid burst of momentum, propelling to a 16-11 lead off a massive strike by Jovan Lapera. The Bison struggled to find their spots, and the Eagles made them pay. With a pile of attack errors, the Eagles used their strong-willed blockers to make BB second guess their attacks. Seth Williams continued his strong service game from last match against Geneva to help BCE capture the first set, 25-16.
-
In the second set, the Eagles jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, helping to set the scene for what was to come. Jeffrey Prevost dialed back and knocked down a kill and shortly after struck another down for a 9-4 advantage. Aiden Weaver and Seth Williams paired up to attack on offense, and more errors soon consumed much of the second set from the Bison. Weaver spotted open floor for two consecutive attacks while Corbin Green swung hard and swung cleanly for the Eagles to take the second set, 25-19.
-
The Bison fixed their previous lackluster attacks and countered back in the third set with much aggression. The Eagles held stride for most of the set until late in the set to extend play. A four-point scoring rally put the Eagles within reach of the set as BB led 23-21, but eventually the Bison squeezed out the final two points for a 27-25 third set score.
-
The first point to start out the set signaled good things to come as that sequence happened for the third time in the match. With the first point, BCE extended the lead. Lapera then initiated a commanding six-point run to hold a seven-point lead at 18-11. Lapera appeared again to do more damage, and this time it came on the final point to send out the match in thrilling fashion for the first victory for the program in the second match of the season with a final set score, 25-18.
Match 2
-
Although a three-set loss, the Eagles hung in to tight points in each set. Long rallies and back-and-forth attacks fired away from both sides. CC took control in the middle of the opening set to the match and used a six-point scoring run to their advantage, bringing the score up to 13-7. The Cougars handled the plays comfortably to take the opening set, 25-12.
-
In the second set, the Cougars continued to hold momentum and launch forceful attacks through the BCE defense. The Eagles came back from a five-point deficit and caught back up with the Cougars at 17 apiece. Two attack errors went BCE's way, giving them the first lead of the set. Aiden Weaver struck two kills in a three-point scoring run sequence and put BCE up two at 24-22. CC tied it up and squeezed in an extended set at 28-26.
-
In the third set, BCE did not go away. The Eagles poured on a five-point scoring rally for the lead at 9-8. Weaver and Jeffrey Prevost continued striking attacks effectively, but the Cougars began to gain traction off a four-point run and a 20-15 lead. The Cougars pushed the Eagles off a potential comeback just enough to claim the third set, 25-22.
Match Notes
Match 1
Match 2
Up Next
The Eagles return to action next weekend on Saturday, Jan. 24 to take on both Lancaster Bible and reigning national title champions SVU in Buena Vista, Va. First serves are scheduled for 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
