CLEVELAND, Ga. (September 30, 2023) – On Saturday, the Truett McConnell University women's volleyball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent Tennessee Wesleyan University and non-conference foe, Bob Jones University, for a tri-match inside the Harris Athletic Complex. The Lady Bears stayed sharp in both matches, working together as a team to come out on top over both the Bulldogs (25-8, 25-16, 25-18) and Bruins (25-23, 25-20, 25-13), 3-0. TMU rises to an overall record of 14-7, 7-2 AAC, while TWU falls to a record of 1-17, 0-10 AAC, and BJU to 16-3. 
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
TMU vs TWU
In the first set, the Bulldogs were first to score, but the Lady Bears quickly responded with an eight-point rally, featuring kills by Jordan Roberts, Sonya Silecky and Faith Clarkson. TWU attempted to challenge the Lady Bears but were unsuccessful as a seven-point rally by TMU, featuring three kills by Silecky and one by Ranavia Neal left the visitors behind by 13. A final five-point rally by the Lady Bears, with two kills by Roberts and a service ace from Madyson Dunn, gave TMU set one, 25-8. Set two saw the Lady Bears first to move with a four-point rally, featuring kills from Katie Williams and Silecky. An early five-point rally by the Bulldogs threatened the Lady Bears lead but it was no match for TMU as the Lady Bears sailed ahead with a five-point rally, featuring kills by Neal and Williams and two solo blocks by Roberts. A final kill by Roberts sealed the deal for TMU in set two, 25-16.
 
The final set saw change from the visitors, starting off with a six-point rally, but the Lady Bears were not shaken as a kill by Katie Williamson gave TMU momentum to push ahead. The set remained evenly matched until a final four-point rally by the Lady Bears, featuring back-to-back kills by Williams and Silecky, proved TMU victorious, 25-18, sweeping the Bulldogs, 3-0.
 
LEADERS
Williams and Silecky led the way for the Lady Bears with 10 kills each. Neal followed closely behind with seven kills, while Roberts had six kills, three solo blocks and two block assists. Rylee Simpson recorded 37 assists, respectfully.
 
TMU vs BJU
Set one saw the Bruins first on the board, with the Lady Bears immediately responding with a four-point rally, featuring a kill by Williamson. The set remained evenly matched with both teams fighting for the lead, until a three-point rally by the Lady Bears, with back-to-back kills by Williams, sent TMU ahead by two. A final kill by Roberts gave the Lady Bears the first set, 25-23. The second set saw the home team first to move with a four-point rally, featuring another kill by Williams. TMU continued to outshine BJU with a four-point rally, featuring two block assists (Neal/Silecky, Neal/Clarkson). A late rally by the Bruins attempted to keep the Lady Bears from the win but proved to be no contest as TMU rallied together to take set two, 25-20.
 
The third set saw the Lady Bears first on the board once again, with a kill by Williamson. TMU continued to push ahead of BJU with three kills by Elizabeth Franklin. A six-point rally, with three kills by Williams, paired with a final kill from Rachel Kessler proved TMU capable of sweeping the second match of the day, 25-13 (3-0).
 
LEADERS
Williams led the way for the Lady Bears with 11 kills and one solo block. Silecky followed with seven kills, while Williamson followed with five kills. Roberts recorded four kills and two solo blocks, followed by Simpson with 24 assists. Most notable, Kessler recorded 20 digs on the evening to achieve 1000 career digs. 
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears are back in action on Tuesday, October 3, as they host Brenau University for an AAC match-up inside the Harris Athletic Complex. Match time set for 6:30 p.m.