– In Bryan’s second home tri-match of the year, the Lions were able to find success early against Montreat College (N.C.) but a tough Tennessee Wesleyan University team forced a split for Bryan after battling through five sets to end a perfect 2-0 on the day in Appalachian Athletic Conference play. The Lions moved their overall record to 15-11 and conference record to 10-5, while Montreat’s two losses dropped them to 9-16 overall and 7-8 in the AAC. After going undefeated in the tri-match, Tennessee Wesleyan improved to 11-13 overall and 8-7 in conference.
For the 9th time this season, the Lions routed a conference opponent in the form of a sweep as they opened the day in dominating fashion with a 3-0 victory.
The outcome was quite different compared to the previous meeting these teams had earlier in the season, Sept. 17, at Montreat. The Cavaliers overwhelmed the Lions through three sets (25-22, 25-17, 25-23), but Bryan had an answer for them this time around.
Hannah Smith and Hope Burnett were untouchable as both combined for 29 of Bryan’s 44 total kills and a blistering .376 attack percentage. Smith was the leader with 15 kills and .545 percentage, and Burnett followed with 14 kills and .667 percentage. To go along with Shelby Enoch’s five kills, she led all players in assists with 36 and served up two aces along the way. Kayla Rymer compiled 13 digs to lead the team and was trailed by Eryn Walker with nine digs.
The Lions set the mood early with a 10-1 run to begin play in the first set. Bryan continued to control the set as they worked their way to a 20-8 lead, providing an answer after the last time they met. The Lions allowed the Cavaliers three more points, but Bryan claimed a 1-0 lead in the match after a 25-11 first set victory.
As the second set unfolded, it seemed as if Montreat found a way to compete with Bryan and force the Lions into a close contest until the turning point midway through the set. Trailing just 12-10, the Cavaliers managed to stay close but an attack error by Montreat sparked an 8-1 run by the Lions, extending Bryan’s advantage to 20-11. At 23-13 and only needing two points to seal the set, Bryan struggled to capitalize, allowing Montreat to push for a 6-1 run. The pressure was applied, but an assist by Enochs to Paige Lawson for the kill was all the Lions needed to go ahead 2-0 in the match with a 25-19 ending in the second set.
Montreat’s only lead in the match came in the start to the third set as they earned the first point, 1-0. The lead was short lived as Smith recorded two kills, Burnett tallied a kill, and the Cavaliers produced an attack error to provide Bryan with a 4-1 edge. The Lions maintained the lead, going in front 14-10 halfway through the set, but that would be the closest the Cavaliers would get to Bryan. The home team allowed Montreat to only four more points as they scored 11 to win the set 25-14 and the match 3-0.
After sweeping the Bulldogs of Tennessee Wesleyan earlier in the season, the Lions were unable to produce the same result as they managed a first set victory but quickly fell behind the next two sets, 2-1. Bryan returned in the fourth set with momentum and never held back as they leveled the match score 2-2. In a stressful fifth set situation, Tennessee Wesleyan showed no concern as they had just previously outlasted Montreat in five sets. Virtually a replay of the match before where the Bulldogs were victorious 15-9 in the extra set, they fought their way to another 15-9 finale to defeat Bryan.
Rachel Mosley was the only Lion to reach double-digit kills with 12, as Bryan was outkilled 48-45. Both teams were unable to produce notable attack percentages as Tennessee Wesleyan was .120 in the match and Bryan was at .108. Mosley also led in blocks with three solo blocks and one assisted. Enochs collected 36 assists to lead Bryan and notched 17 digs, which trailed dig-leader Rymer by one (18).
The difference maker for the Lions in the opening set came in the form of a 7-0 run after being tied 12-12 to create a 19-12 advantage. The lead was too much for the Bulldogs as Bryan slipped away with a 25-19 win to go ahead 1-0 in the match.
Bryan fell behind 14-7 in the second set, but they cut the margin to two with a 9-4 run, bringing the score to 18-16. An attack error by Tennessee Wesleyan and ace by Walker gave the Lions a glimpse of hope, trailing 23-21, but two kills by the Bulldogs ended the second set 25-21 and evened the match score 1-1.
Midway through the third set, the Tennessee Wesleyan controlled a 15-10 lead and decided to leave the Lions behind as they allowed Bryan only five more points in the set as they gained their first lead of the match at 2-1 with a 25-15 third set win.
The third set didn’t sit well with Bryan, and the Lions were determined to force the Bulldogs into extra time. A 7-0 lead by Bryan was just what they were looking for as they continued to keep distance from Tennessee Wesleyan until an effort by the Bulldogs pulled them within two, 13-11. A kill by Mosley, an attack error by Tennessee Wesleyan, and a solo block by Mosley was enough to spark nine unanswered points as Bryan extended their lead to 22-11. An attack error by the Lions handed the Bulldogs one last point before Bryan tied the match 2-2 with a 25-12 fourth set victory.
After two quick scores by Tennessee Wesleyan to go ahead 2-0 in the final set, the Bulldogs won a long key rally for a 3-0 lead. Bryan was unable to shake it as Tennessee Wesleyan increased their advantage to 9-3. The Lions managed three consecutive points to narrow the deficit at 9-6, but the Bulldogs surrendered only three more points to the host team as Tennessee Wesleyan came away their second straight 15-9 fifth set win. Bryan ended the day 1-1.
Up next, Bryan Volleyball remains at home as they host fellow AAC opponent, Reinhardt University (Ga.), on Tuesday, Oct. 18, with tipoff slated for 6:30pm.