MARIETTA, Ga. – Life University volleyball (5-1) took both matches in the minimum three sets against Bluefield and Indiana University East on Friday on the first day of the Running Eagle Classic.
 
In the first match of the day against Bluefield, junior Liz Mann paced the squad with 16 kills and a .536 hitting percentage, as well as three aces, five digs and a block. Junior Chelsea added eight kills. Junior Gaby Ferran contributed 13 digs and five aces.
 
The match opened with both teams trading point early in the set, which featured seven ties. However, the Running Eagles began to pull away as they went on a 6-0 run to jump out to a 15-9 lead. From there, the Rams never could find any momentum, with Life U taking the set 25-13.
 
The second set started much the same way that the first began, with tightly contested frame early. Once again though, the home squad found their grove and went on an 8-0 run, taking a 16-8 lead. Again, Bluefield could not match Life U's point runs, with the Running Eagles claiming the frame 25-16.
 
Looking to stave off a sweep, the Rams opened the third set on a 6-1 run. However, Life U kept chipping away, and eventually tied the set at 12-12. That tie served as a tipping point as it was part of a 11-0 run that started at 7-12 and ended with the Running Eagles leading 17-12. While Bluefield battled to bring the set close with ties at 20-20, 21-21 and 22-22, Life U still came out on top and took the match with a 25-22 decision.
 
Against IU East in the last match of the day, Hill led the squad with 10 kills as well as a block. Mann added nine kills, five digs and four aces. Ferran contributed 13 digs and an ace.
 
The Running Eagles looked primed to roll in the first set as they opened on a 6-1. They never looked back, as they proceeded to go on multiple runs including an 8-1 run to close out the set with a 25-14 decision.
 
The second set was little closer to start as both went point-for-point early in the frame. However, as was the theme of the day, point runs put Life U up to stay as they would eventually take the set 25-15.
 
Not looking to end the match in three sets, the Red Wolves opened the third set on a 4-1 run. The Running Eagles chipped away at the lead and eventually took their first lead at 10-9. Once again, point runs gave Life U a sizable lead at 19-13. However, IU East would not go down quietly as they fought to pull within a point at 21-20. The Running Eagles found what they needed to close out the match and took the win with a 25-21 decision.
 
Life U is back in action tomorrow as they face off against Ave Maria and Point University at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively.