BRIDGEWATER, Va. - Bridgewater College men's volleyball fell to Va. Wesleyan and Wilson in the first ever home match in program history.
The Basics
Match 1 score: Bridgewater College Eagles (BC) 1, Va. Wesleyan Marlins (VWU) 3
Match 2 score: Bridgewater College Eagles (BC) 2, Wilson College Phoenix (WC) 3
Records: BC (2-11, 0-2); VWU (10-2, 3-0), WC (6-2)
How It Happened
Match 1
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The Marlins ignited the game flow with early breakthroughs in attacking connections, leaving the Eagles to find answers. In the opening set, VWU jumped out to an early 7-2 advantage. After a four-point scoring burst through the middle of the set by VWU, BC was fighting to stay in rhythm. VWU took the first set, 25-15.
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In the second set, the Eagles stayed close to the Marlins the whole way through. Back-and-forth attacks carried out early points. VWU pushed ahead but the Eagles fought right back to reclaim the lead at 10-9 off a kill by Aiden Weaver. From there, BC clamped on strong momentum and never looked back. Although the Marlins were hung close, BC held strong following two straight points with kills from Weaver and Jovan Lapera. BC took the second set, 25-20.
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A 5-0 scoring run to open the third set, pushed the Eagles back in momentum. VWU from the start attacked efficiently and effectively. However, BC never went away. Weaver sparked a rally in the middle of the set with a strike and then a laser off the serve to close the deficit to two points at 14-12. BC rolled to a four-point run late in the set to force pressure on the Marlins, but VWU squeezed to take the third set, 25-20.
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Just as the Marlins did in the third set, an early scoring run emerged to minimize attacks from BC. VWU held on to the lead and forced the Eagles to work harder for the point. Corbin Green put together a solid strike to fight for the momentum, but VWU held strong again and ran with a 25-16 set score for the win.
Match 2
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Although a blazing start for BC and with early momentum in the match against the Wilson Phoenix, the Eagles ran out of steam late. In the first set, the game plan was executed to precision. With back-to-back points and continuous lead changes, the Eagles fought for the next point. A massive seven-point scoring rally put Wilson at a severe disadvantage, and attack errors were coming often. BC capitalized and used a commanding seven –point lead at 19-12 from a kill by Jovan Lapera and back-to-back kills by Jeffrey Prevost to shift the momentum even further on BC's side. BC took the opening set, 25-19
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In the second set, both teams were searching for controlled momentum swings, and BC found the momentum after closing the two-point deficit at 20-18. Aiden Weaver slammed down consecutive kills to even the score at 20 apiece. From there, Prevost answered with a strike and the final point to take the second set, 25-23.
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Wilson then switched the game plan and attacked early in the third set. The Phoenix pushed a sizeable advantage at 12-5 to set the stage for the rest of the action. BC closed the gap, but attack errors were catching up to the Eagles. A pair of four-point runs for Wilson was enough to take the third set, 25-18.
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More back-and-forth lead changes carried out for the first half of the fourth set. Both teams traded momentum swings, and neither team could form a comfortable lead. Corbin Green continued firing away to spark a 21-19 lead while Prevost had the kill to put the Eagles at set point. WIlson stormed back to claim the lead back and secure the fourth set, 28-26.
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Neither team once again could command a convincing lead in the deciding set. Points were traded, and momentum swings were reversed often. With a three-point run late in the set for WIlson, the Eagles were stopped short as the fifth set went to Wilson, 15-12.
Match Notes
Match 1
Match 2
Up Next
The Eagles are back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 17 to face Averett at home. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
