ASHLAND, Va. - Bridgewater College men's volleyball split the doubleheader Saturday afternoon with a five-set thriller victory against Gallaudet and a three-set loss to Marymount in the Randolph-Macon Invitational.
The Basics
Match 1 Score: Bridgewater College Eagles (BCE) 3, Gallaudet University Bison (GUB) 2
Match 2 Score: Marymount University Saints (MUS) 3, Bridgewater College Eagles (BCE) 0
Records: BCE (2-5); GUB (1-5), MUS (3-5)
How It Happened
Match 1
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The Eagles jumped out to a hot start in the opening set to set the pace on a fiery five-point scoring run. The Bison battled tough and did not allow easy sequences to take place. The strong start by the Eagles solidified controlled momentum for much of the set. Seth Williams struck down a shot to push the lead to 14-5. The lead stayed well within control from the crimson & gold, landing a 25-17 first set.
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A shorter scoring burst ensued in the second set, but the Bison rumbled back to roll in four-straight points and executed on BCE's attack errors. GUB separated with a five-point run including three from service aces to extend to a 12-7 deficit for the Eagles. The Eagles evened it up at 14 apiece with countered attacks and a strike by Jovan Lapera. The Bison came back to rally off another five-point burst to command a 21-15 lead. GUB moved past BCE safely to take the second set, 25-19.
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The Eagles faced a a struggling third set, while working to maintain a firm lead. The Bison closed off strong runs and went on short and quick runs themselves. Three lead changes already took hold in the middle of the set, with both teams searching for a cushion. Jeffrey Prevost broke through in the set to lace a kill and GUB answered back to claim the lead back. The Bison squeezed by in the third set, 25-20.
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With backs against the wall, the Eagles took one point at a time entering the fourth set. BCE found breathing room early in the set with an early four-point run, while the Bison struggled to limit errors. BCE doubled their lead at 10-5. Tomi Visgaitis and Aiden Weaver paired up to pummel attacks down in open floor. The Eagles rolled on by in the fourth set to go to a fifth set with a 25-14 set score.
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From the very beginning of the fifth set, the Eagles remained in front. Prevost opened the set with a kill set up by Weaver while Lapera nailed a service ace. More service errors came from GUB's side in the deciding set. Lapera helped ignite a commanding 10-4 ledger, and quickly the offensive miscues began to pile up for the Bison. Corbin Green swung down the final kill to take the win and the final set,15-10.
Match 2
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Marymount found its way against Bridgewater, capitalizing on key set pieces. The Saints commanded from the very beginning while maintaining an effective hitting percentage at almost 50% to open the match in the first set. MUS strung together six-straight points with three working off BCE's attack errors. From there, the Saints comfortably separated their run in the first set to take a 25-14 score.
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The scoring bursts and the missed attacks continuously set the Eagles back in the third set. A 9-2 lead took hold and MUS never looked back, finding their spots and applying extensive pressure on the Eagles. MUS commanded the entire set to take the final set, 25-11.
Match Notes
Match 1
Match 2
Up Next
The Eagles are back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 3 to face Shenandoah in the first conference matchup of the season. First serve begins at 7 p.m.
