MARIETTA, Ga. – Life University volleyball (12-2) swept both matches of Thursday's doubleheader against Middle Georgia State and Breanu by a score of 3-1.
 
Head Coach Steve Wilcosky was pleased with the performance of his squad on the night.
 
"Tonight was an interesting night that tested us both mentally and physically," said Wilcosky. "Middle Georgia is a really good program that is like us and just started out. They big and physical. I've played against Coach Gonzalez quite a bit in the past, and I sort of knew his team from his style of play. We knew we had to serve aggressive and keep them out of system. It was a good battle, and a good test for us."
 
As has been the case for most of the season, junior Liz Mann pace the squad with fifth double-double of the season with 22 kills and 16 digs, as well as four aces. Sophomore Deandra King posted 12 kills and six blocks, which was a new career high. Junior Miriam Goodfriend logged a new career-high with 44 assists.
 
In the first set of the match, both teams battled closely. However, the Running Eagles found an edge thanks to point runs and eventually took the frame 25-18.
 
The second set was much more tightly contested, with both team trading point for the entire set. Unfortunately, Life U came up short as MGA took the set 25-23.
 
In the third frame, both teams again traded points for most of the set. This time the Running Eagles took the set 26-24.
 
Life U finally found their groove in the fourth and final set as they took the match and the set with a 25-17 decision.
 
Against Brenau, the Running Eagles took the match 3-1 (25-16, 18-25, 25-21, 25-8).
 
"In the second game, Brenau is a young team that is going to be really good, and we thankfully got out with a win," said Wilcosky. "We were pushed mentally in the match, and some things weren't working as easily as they had been earlier in the season. We really had to dig down deep and find the toughness to put it all together in the fourth set. We are still waiting for our upperclassmen to take more initiative with our program, and give our younger players a better understanding of what it means to be a Life U volleyball player."
 
Junior Chelsea Hill led Life U with 10 kills, as well as two blocks and two digs. King again was a defensive force as she logged five blocks, to go with eight kills and a dig.
 
The first set saw the Running Eagles looking primed to dominate, taking the frame with a 25-16 decision.
 
In the second set, Life U started slow and never really recovered as Brenau took the set 25-18.
 
The Running Eagles recovered in the tightly contested third set, as they took the frame 25-21.
 
Life U ran away with the fourth and final set with a 25-8 decision.

"Thanks to our fans for coming out and supporting us tonight, it is always great to play in front our home crowd," Wilcosky said. "Our next home match is not until October, so this was a good one to send us on the road."

The Running Eagles are back in action as they open Mid-South Conference play on the road against University of the Cumberlands on Sept. 15.