MARIETTA, Ga. ---- The Life University women's volleyball team opened the season with an even 2-2 record in the Running Eagle Classic over the weekend.
The Running Eagles won a pair of four set matches against Tennessee Southern and Brenau 3-1, however fell to XULA and (RV) Columbia International in the second game both days.
In the opener against Tennessee Southern, the Running Eagles came out with a two set lead after winning the opening frames 25-14 and 28-26. The Firehawks bounced back in the third set winning 25-18, before Life U responded in the fourth set winning 25-11. The team totaled 55 kills with a .265 hitting percentage, while committing just two attack errors in the first and fourth sets. They added five service aces with nine total blocks and 52 assists with 60 digs. Individually,
Fayola Louis led the charge with 17 kills and three block assists.
Madison Evans (12) and
Chloe Teter (10) also finished in double figures.
Morgan Furness added four total blocks as did
Cassidy Lee with
Madison Lee totaling 34 assists and a service ace.
Amanda Ray led the back line with 21 digs in the match.
In the night cap for day one, the Running Eagles fell 3-0 to XULA. The first set was won 27-25, while the next two went in 25-20 and 25-15 fashion. Life U totaled 35 kills in the match with a .202 hitting percentage. XULA dominated in aces leading 11-3, however Life U led 5-3 in total blocks with both teams picking up 36 assists. Teter was the only Running Eagle to finish in double figures with 10 kills as Furness added three total blocks with 19 assists from M. Lee and 11 from
Kennedy Neal. Ray again stood out defensively with 20 digs.
In the opener of day two, Life U defeated Brenau 3-1. Life U opened the match with a 25-20 win in set one, however the Golden Tigers responded in the second set with a 25-20 win. The Running Eagles edged out the third set 25-23 and dominated set four 25-8. Life U totaled 46 kills as a team with a .193 hitting percentage. They added 13 service aces and led 11-4 in total blocks with 45 assists and 71 digs. Furness, Teter and Louis each picked up nine kills as Ray led the way with four service aces. Furness totaled five blocks as
Emilee Brown and Louis added four. M. Lee picked up 21 assists, while K. Neal added 20. Ray also finished with 23 digs as
Lena Pucnik added 11.
In the final match of the tournament, Life U fell 3-0 to (RV) CIU. The Rams won the first set 28-26 and the second set 25-21. The errors compounded for the Running Eagles in the third set as CIU won 25-12. Life U finished with a tournament-low 35 kills and a .115 hitting percentage. They added five aces, five blocks, 30 assists and 60 digs. Teter led the way offensively again with 13 kills as K. Neal picked up 13 assists. Ray picked up a season-high 24 digs in the match as well.
The women's volleyball team will return to action on Friday, September 2, as they host Reinhardt University in the Upper Gym at 6 PM.
