NEED TO KNOW:

Score: Life U 1, Blue Mountain 3
Records: Life U, 14-18 (SSAC 6-7); Blue Mountain 22-7 (SSAC 9-4)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Life U Women's Volleyball team falls to Blue Mountain in the last game of Southern States Tournament Pool play 3-1 to wrap up the 2024 season. 

The Toppers took an early 3-0 lead in the first set, while the Running Eagles were able to catch up; it wasn't enough to secure the set. Blue Mountain went on a 7-2 run to extend the lead and take home the first set, 25-14. 

In the second set, Life U took the first point but quickly fell behind after Blue Mountains 5-0 run. Although the Running Eagles were able to once again catch up to the Toppers, it wasn't enough to claim the second set. Blue Mountain added another winning set to the scoreboard, 25-16.

Life rallied in the third set, with Imana Ellis and Erica Irby leading a 25-17 comeback. After a 8-2 run the Running Eagles were able to claim the third set to go into the fourth set with hopes of turning the game around.

The Running Eagles were unable to sustain momentum in the fourth, as Blue Mountain's balanced offense closed out the match. The Toppers went on a 8-3 run to extend the lead in the fourth set to eventually claim the last set of the game. 

Ellis led the team with 13 kills and seven blocks, while Irby added another eleven kills and Destiny Washington added five blocks. In total Life U finished the match with 39 kills and nine blocks. Gabriela Riviera recorded 16 assists and nine digs, while Reign Jarin recorded eleven digs and Elisa Fries recorded another ten digs. 

Life U ends the season 14-18 and the loss marks the end of the season for the Running Eagles.