CLEVELAND, Ga. (September 2, 2023) – On Friday – Saturday, the Truett McConnell University women's volleyball team hosted the TMU Indoor Volleyball Invitational. The Lady Bears went 3-1 on the weekend, securing victories over Keiser University (19-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-15, 18-16) and St. Andrews University (25-14, 25-17, 25-23) on day one, and splitting day two with a loss against Webber International University (25-17, 16-25, 25-20, 15-25, 9-15) and a win against University of the Cumberlands (25-21, 25-22, 9-25, 25-22). The Lady Bears increase their overall record to 4-4.
 
DAY 1 | MATCH 1 | TMU vs. Keiser
 
In the first set, Keiser was first on the board with a five-point rally, but a quick kill by Ranavia Neal put TMU in the game. The Lady Bears continued to fight against the Seahawks, but a last chance five-point rally, featuring kills by Sonya Silecky and Neal, wasn't enough to secure the win (25-19). In the second set Keiser was quick to act but a four-point rally, featuring an assisted block by Neal and Leah Bowen, pushed TMU ahead (4-1) The Lady Bears battled hard but ultimately couldn't secure the win in set two (17-25).
 
In the third set, TMU was first to score with back-to-back kills by Neal and Silecky. The set remained evenly matched as both teams battled back in forth, but a service ace by Katie Williams paired with a solo block by Neal gave the Lady Bears the advantage, winning set three (25-21). The fourth set saw Keiser first on the board, but a four-point rally with kills by Williams, followed by a five-point rally, featuring back-to-back kills from Bowen, gave TMU a large lead, winning set four 25-15.
 
In the final set, TMU was first to act with a kill by Neal. The Lady Bears and Seahawks remained evenly matched throughout the set, by a final kill by Williams sealed the deal, as TMU defeated Keiser in the fifth set 18-16.
 
LEADERS 
 
Neal led the way for the Lady Bears with 19 kills with three blocks and three block assists. Williams followed with 13 kills and two service aces along with Bowen recording 10 kills of her own. Rylee Simpson recorded 51 assists.
 
DAY 1 | MATCH 2 | TMU vs. St. Andrews
 
In the first set, the Lady Bears were first to act with a six-point rally featuring kills by Bowen, and a service ace by Simpson. The Knights attempted to push ahead but another six-point rally by the Lady Bears, featuring kills by Silecky and Williams, put them on top, 25-14.  In set two, TMU was once again first on the board with a kill by Neal. A final kill by Silecky and a service ace by Simpson allowed the Lady Bears take set two (25-17).
 
In set three, the Knights were first to act with a four-point rally. A five-point rally by the Lady Bears featuring kills by Williams and Roberts, kept the set evenly matched. A final kill by Silecky sent TMU a head of St. Andrews, winning the match in three sets, 25-23. 
 
LEADERS 
 
Silecky led the way with 10 kills. Williams followed with seven kills and Neal with five. Simpson recorded 27 assists with three services aces.
 
DAY 2 | MATCH 1 | TMU vs Webber International
 
In the first set, Webber was first on the board. The set was evenly matched until a four-point rally with kills by Williams and Silecky pushed TMU ahead (9-6). A final kill by Silecky sealed the deal as the Lady Bears took set one, 25-17. In the second set, the Warriors once again struck first, but kills by Neal, Williams and Roberts gave the Lady Bears hope, but it wasn't enough to secure the win(16-25). In the second set, after allowing 10 points, TMU bounced back in a last-minute effort with a seven-point rally to take the lead over the Warriors, winning set three (25-20).
 
In the fourth set, Webber showed no mercy, leaving the Lady Bears behind early. A late run with kills by Silecky and Elizabeth Franklin brought TMU close but was not enough, forcing the match into a fifth set (15-25). In the final set, a five-point rally from the Warriors determined the Lady Bears fate, leaving them behind, 9-15.
 
LEADERS
 
Williams led the way with 18 kills and two service aces. Silecky was not far behind with 15 kills and five block assists. Neal recorded 12 kills herself, with Simpson tallying 41 assists.
 
DAY 2 | MATCH 2 | TMU vs Univ. of the Cumberlands
 
In the first set, the Lady Bears were first on the board with a kill by Katie Williams. The Patriots worked hard to gain the lead, but a final seven-point rally by TMU, featuring kills by Roberts, Williams and Neal put them on top, 25-21. In the second set, Cumberlands worked hard to push ahead, but service aces by Rachel Kessler and Williams paired with back-to-back kills from Silecky put the Lady Bears over the Patriots, 25-22. 
 
In the third set, the Patriots showed no mercy with an early nine-point rally. Kills by Williams attempted to help TMU recover, but it wasn't enough, falling 9-25. In the fourth set, the Lady Bears fell behind early, but service aces by Deomi Valmus and kills from Bowen, Roberts and Williams gave them a fighting chance. TMU proved to be victorious with two final kills from Bowen and Williams, winning the final match in four sets, 25-22.
 
LEADERS 
 
Roberts and Williams both led the way with 14 kills apiece. Neal followed with five kills of her own and three blocks, while Simpson recorded 33 assists. Kessler recorded three service aces while Valmus recorded two.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Lady Bears will be back in action Thursday, September 7, as they take on Reinhardt University for an Appalachian Athletic Conference match-up inside the Harris Athletic Complex. Match time is set for 6:30 p.m.