WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (August 18, 2024)—On Thursday-Saturday, the Truett McConnell University women's volleyball team traveled to compete in the Vipers Sports Academy Classic, hosted by Keiser University. The Lady Bears played with heart, falling to Florida College, 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-20), and Keiser University, 3-0 (25-10, 25-22, 25-17) on day one, and finishing the tournament with two tough losses against Benedictine College, 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 26-24), and Oregon Tech, 3-0 (25-10, 25-21, 25-15), on the final day of competition. The Lady Bears fall to an overall record of 0-4.
 
MATCH 1
FC 3 vs. TMU 0
PLAY-BY-PLAY
In set one, TMU was first on the board with a kill by Jordan Roberts. Both teams remained evenly matched as a kill by Katie Williams, gave the Lady Bears a small lead. A five-point rally by the Eagles, ultimately pushed FC ahead as TMU attempted to recover. Two final kills by Elizabeth Franklin and Grace Meadors, attempted to change the outcome of the set, but was ultimately not enough, falling 15-25. In set two, TMU was once again first to make their mark with a solo block by Jordan Roberts. TMU took an early lead with kills by Sameily Marquez and Faith Clarkson pushing the Lady Bears forward but was ultimately short lived as a six-point rally by the opposing team, created a large gap. TMU continued to fight, eager to regain control of the set, but was ultimately unsuccessful, falling in set two, 14-25.
 
In the final set, FC was first to attack, putting four points on the board. The Lady Bears quickly responded, decreasing the margin with kills by Clarkson and Williams, and a block assist by Williams and Franklin. TMU gave it their all but was ultimately unable to bridge the gap, falling in set three, 20-25.
 
LEADERS
Williams led the way for the Lady Bears with seven kills and one block assist. Roberts followed with six kills, one solo block, and two service aces while Clarkson recorded six kills. Franklin was featured tallying three kills and one block assist.
 
MATCH 2
KU 3 vs. TMU 0
PLAY-BY-PLAY
Set one saw the Seahawks first on the board with a five-point rally. TMU worked hard to decrease the margin as a block assist by Roberts and Marquez, followed by a service ace from Emma Boland, landed the Lady Bears on the board. The Lady Bears continued to fight with kills by Williams, Clarkson, Caroline Yeager and Nadia Lulinski as TMU attempted to bridge the gap, but ultimately was not enough, falling in set one 10-25. In set two, TMU found their momentum with kills by Marquez and Clarkson keeping the set even. A six-point rally by the Seahawks, ultimately created a large gap on the scoreboard, but was short lived as kills by Franklin and Lulinski, followed by a solo block by Meadors and a block assist by Meadors and Lulinski, kept KU at bay. A final kill by Williams and a service ace by Belle Lamonica, attempted to finalize a set win, but was unable to defeat the opposing team, falling in set two 22-25.
 
In the final set, TMU was first to score with a kill by Marquez. The Lady Bears took an early lead as a four-point rally, featuring kills by Williams and back-to-back service aces by Camille Godfrey, pushed TMU ahead. The Lady bears continued to play with heart, holding their own against the Seahawks, when a last chance five-point rally by KU determined the matches fate (17-25).
 
LEADERS
Williams once again led the way for TMU with six kills. Clarkson followed with five kills and two block assists, while Roberts had four kills and two block assists. Marquez and Lulinski were both featured recording three kills, while Meadors had one solo block and three block assists.
 
MATCH 3
BU 3 vs. TMU 0
PLAY-BY-PLAY
Set one began with TMU first to strike with a service ace by Emma Boland. Both teams continued to battle as kills by Franklin and Williams kept the set even. TMU continued to work together to gain the lead, when two five-point rallies by the Eagles pushed BU a head. A last chance six-point rally by TMU, featuring a kill by Marquez, back-to-back service aces by Lamonica, and a block assist by Franklin and Meadors, gave the Lady Bears a chance, but was ultimately short lived as an error on TMU gave the Eagles set one, 19-25. In set two, the Lady Bears fell behind early, with two four-point rallies by the Eagles pushing BU over TMU. Kills by Claudia Yates, Franklin and Roberts, attempted to give the Lady Bears control but was once again pushed out of reach with an error on TMU, resulting in a set two loss, 17-25.
 
In the final set, the Lady Bears found a shift in momentum with a five-point rally evening the score. Both teams continued to battle it out, with kills by Franklin and Lulinski holding the margin to one. A final kill by Roberts attempted to finalize a TMU set win, but was unable to hold off the Eagles, falling in the third set, 24-26.
 
LEADERS
Franklin led the way with five kills and a block assist, followed by Clarkson and Roberts with three kills apiece. Williams and Marquez were featured recording two kills, while Boland recorded nine assist and three service aces.
 
MATCH 4
OT 3 vs. TMU 0
PLAY-BY-PLAY
Set one saw the Owls retain the lead when a kill by Marquez disrupted the early rally. Both teams continued to battle, remaining evenly matched through the set, when a nine-point rally by the opposing team gave the Owls and early win, 10-25. In set two, TMU was first to score with a kill by Williams. TMU continued to fight with kills by Franklin and Marquez, followed by a block assist by Roberts and Clarkson. A five-point rally by TMU, featuring a block assist by Roberts and Williams paired with a service ace by Lily Qualls, gave the Lady Bears a chance as they took the lead. TMU continued hold the lead, increasing the gap with kills by Clarkson and Franklin, anticipating a set two win, when a nine-point rally by the Owls changed the tide of the game. A final effort by the Lady Bears gave TMU hope to recover once again, but was ultimately unable to connect, falling 21-25 in set two.
 
In the final set, TMU held their own with kills by Boland, Williams, and Clarkson. A seven point rally by the Owls, once again gave OT the lead. TMU attempted to recover with a five-point rally of their own but ultimately was not enough to change the result of the set, falling to a final score of 15-25.
 
LEADERS
Clarkson led the way with six kills and a block assist. Marquez followed with four kills while Williams recorded four kills and two block assists. Roberts and Franklin followed with three kills apiece while Yeager recorded three serving aces. Boland was featured recording 14 assists on the evening. 
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears will travel to Talladega, Ala. on Friday, August 30 – Saturday, August 31 for the Talladega College Tournament, where TMU will face off against New College of Florida (10:00 a.m.) and Point University (12:00 p.m.) on day one, and Stillman College (8:00 a.m.) and Talladega College (12:00 p.m.) on day two.