Berea, KY- The volleyball team opened the home portion of their 2017 schedule this evening, as they welcomed their neighbor to the north, the Pioneers of Transylvania University. The team went into the game with a 1-1 record after a tri-match win over Spalding University over the weekend.
The visiting Pioneers started the match off by moving out to a quick 5-1 lead. A 3-1 run by the Mountaineers brought them back to within two points of the lead, 6-4. The momentum went back to Transylvania though as the visitors scored eight of the next ten points, giving them a 14-6 advantage. A service ace from Alexandra Wilkins brought Berea back within four points of the lead but the team was unable to overcome the Pioneers attack as the Mountaineers fell in the first set 25-18.
Kills from Kristin Barnes and Katherine Gonterman helped Berea take a 4-2 lead in the beginning moments of the second set. The score remained close in the next few minutes of the match until a scoring spree from Transylvania pushed them ahead 18-11. Two straight kills from Barnes aided the Mountaineers in pulling within four points of the Pioneers' lead, 18-14, but the visitors scored seven of the last nine points to win the set by a score of 25-16.
The third set saw the teams exchange the lead a couple of times until the score became tied at 6-6. Transylvania scored 13 straight points to break the tie and the Mountaineers would not be able to rally back and extend the match, losing the final set 25-13. Barnes finished the match with a team-high nine kills while Wilkins aided the offense with 16 assists. Destiney Balser led the defensive effort with eight digs.
The team returns to the road this weekend as they travel to Cincinnati, OH to compete in the Charlie Wrublewski Tournament, hosted by Mount St. Joseph University. Berea will play three games during the tournament, with their first game coming on Friday when they open against Wilmington College. First serve for the match is scheduled for 5:00 PM and the action can be seen here.