Bowling Green, Ky. — The Blue Mountain Christian University volleyball team wrapped up its participation in the Vette City Classic on Saturday. The Volley Toppers played three matches over two days, including a five-set battle against Tennessee Wesleyan and a straight-set loss to Pikeville.
In Saturday’s morning match, Blue Mountain Christian faced Tennessee Wesleyan in a marathon five-set contest. The Volley Toppers took the opening set 25-22, holding the Bulldogs to a .000 hitting percentage. Tennessee Wesleyan responded by winning the second set 25-20, and the teams exchanged points in a tight third, which the Bulldogs edged 26-24. BMCU fought back in the fourth set, winning 25-19, but Tennessee Wesleyan closed out the match in the fifth, hitting .409 and winning 15-8.
Salice Speed led the Volley Toppers with 18 kills, four aces, and 17 digs. Marissa Gerleman added 16 kills and seven blocks, while Elle Clayton contributed eight kills. Mattie Hopper and Gerleman each posted seven blocks. Sydney Tague dished out 24 assists, and Brenyn Wilbanks added 21. Defensively, Abbi Williams recorded a match-high 38 digs, helping BMCU hit .219 as a team and outblock Tennessee Wesleyan 9-5.
Later Saturday, the Volley Toppers faced Pikeville in a three-set match. Pikeville won the first set 25-12. BMCU responded in the second, hitting .333 with 15 kills and only three errors, but ultimately lost the set 25-22. The Bears sealed the victory with a 25-15 win in the third set. Gerleman led BMCU offensively with eight kills, followed by Valeria Velez with six and Hopper with five. Olivia Domino directed the offense with 21 assists, and Lillie Pate served two of the team’s four aces. Williams led the defensive effort with eight digs, with Velez and Speed contributing six and seven, respectively. Olivia Lewis and Gerleman each added two blocks.
The Volley Toppers concluded their weekend run at the Vette City Classic with four matches. They finished with a win and two losses in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
