CLEVELAND, Ga. (Sept. 3, 2022) – The Truett McConnell University women's volleyball team hosted the TMU Invitational Tournament inside the Harris Athletic Complex, where the Lady Bears faced Keiser University (7-25, 23-25, 25-15, 18-25), Ave Maria University (21-25, 23-25, 23-25), Georgetown College (22-25, 25-20, 25-14, 21-25, 6-15), and Columbia College (25-12, 25-8, 27-25).
MATCH 1 | Keiser University
The Lady Bears worked hard against the Skyhawks through four sets. In the first set, the Skyhawks took an early lead and left the Lady Bears behind (7-25). In the second set, TMU was first to strike with a kill from Leah Bowen. Kills from Katie Williams, Katie Williamson and Ranavia Neal grew the Lady Bears lead. The Skyhawks retaliated with a five-point rally to secure the lead, where a kill from Jordan Roberts was their last hope (23-25).
In the third set, the Lady Bears attacked early with a six-point rally, followed by another six-point rally. Back-to-back service aces from Rachel Kessler prevented the Skyhawks from propelling forward, securing a 25-15 victory. In the final set, a kill from Emma Boland and Williamson set the Lady Bears up early. A 12-point rally from the Skyhawks sealed TMU's fate, leaving them to fall 18-25.
LEADERS
Williams led the way with 13 kills, followed by Bowen with nine and Williamson with seven. Deomi Valmus had nine digs on the evening, followed by Brooklyn Brock with eight. Brock tallied 27 assists on the day, followed by Boland with four.
MATCH 2 | Ave Maria University
The Lady Bears lost in three hard-fought sets to the Gyrenes. In the first set, TMU managed to secure an early lead with a kill from Bowen and a service ace from Valmus. Both teams were neck-and-neck until an eight-point rally gave the Gyrenes a generous advantage. Two consecutive kills from Bowen were not enough, leaving the Lady Bears to fall 21-25. In set two, the Gyrenes struck early, but TMU fought hard with kills from Roberts and Bowen. A late five-point rally separated the Gyrenes from the Lady Bears, leaving them to fall 25-13. In the final set, the Lady Bears struck early with three service aces from Valmus. As the Gyrenes retaliated, kills from Neal, Robers and Williams kept TMU in the set. A late run from the Gyrenes proved fatal, leaving the Lady Bears to fall 23-25.
LEADERS
Williams led the way with nine kills, followed by Bowen with seven of her own. Brock recorded nine digs on the evening, while Williams had eight of her own. Brock tallied 21 assists, along with Sonya Silecky and Bown with two apiece.
MATCH 3 | Georgetown College
The Lady Bears worked through five gruesome sets with the Tigers. In set one, TMU struck first with kills from Williamson and Williams. It was not long before the Tigers responded with a four-point rally. Five consecutive kills from Williams regained the Lady Bears lead, but ultimately was not enough (22-25). In the second set, the Tigers pounced early, but kills from Neal and Silecky kept TMU in the match. A late-five point rally consisted of kills from Bowen and Williams to but the Lady Bears on top. A timely ace from Boland sealed a 25-20 victory.
In set three, kills from Silecky, Neal and Boland gave the Lady Bers an early lead. TMU continued to push forward with kills from Roberts and service aces from Brock and Williams, securing a 25-14 victory. In the fourth set, the Tigers showed no mercy, leaving the Lady Bears behind early. A late run with kills from Williams and Neal brough TMU within margins but was not enough (21-25). In the final set, a five-point rally from the Tigers determined TMU's fate, leaving them behind 6-15.
LEADERS
Williams led the way with 18 kills, followed by Neal with 12 and Silecky with 11. Valmus recorded 17 digs on the night, while Silecky had 16 of her own. Brock had an astounding 40 assists, followed by Boland with six of her own.
MATCH 4 | Columbia College
In the final match of the weekend, the Lady Bears secured a sweep over the Koalas. In the first set, TMU started with a seven-point rally that gave an early advantage. The Koalas worked hard, but multiple kills from Neal and Williams secured a 25-12 victory. In the second set, the Koalas attacked early but were no match for Roberts and Williams kills. An eight-point rally determined the Lady Bears fate, allowing them to soar pas the Koalas, 25-8. In the final set, the Koalas were neck-and-neck with the Lady Bears. Service aces from Boland and kills from Roberts and Silecky gave TMU an edge, but the Koalas would quickly retaliate with kills of their own. A kill from Williams and Virginia Hudson ultimately sealed the deal, giving TMU a 27-25 victory.
LEADERS
Williams and Neal led the way with 10 kills, followed by Silecky with seven. Valmus recorded 20 digs on the evening, followed by Williams with seven and Madyson Dunn with six of her own. Brock recorded 31 assists, followed by Boland with five.
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears will host Brenau University on Thursday, September 8 inside the Harris Athletic Complex for their first Appalachian Athletic Conference match-up of the 2022 season. Match time is set for 6:30 p.m.
