COCHRAN, Ga. - The Life University women's volleyball team fell to Middle Georgia University Saturday dropping in a 3-0 match to the Knights. The Running Eagles were able to battle in two of the sets, forcing extra points in sets one and two before ultimately falling in three straight sets.
In the first set, the two teams battled through as neither team earned a lead of more than four points. The largest lead of the set was a 22-18 MGA lead that the Running Eagles battled back after three straight Erica Irby kills and an Imana Ellie ace, 22-21. The Running Eagles then took two of the next three points to go ahead 23-22. A deadlock at 25 was then broken with a pair of Life U errors to lose the set 27-25.
In the next set, the Running Eagles jumped ahead to a comfortable lead midway through. Despite trailing for much of the set, Middle Georgia refused to go down without a fight as a MGA timeout while they were in a 21-17 deficit changed all the momentum. After the strategic timeout, the Knights strung together three consecutive kills and claimed five of the final six points to come from behind and win the second set 26-24.
In the final set, the Running Eagles found themselves in an insurmountable hole, falling behind 6-0 early and never recovering as they lost the set 25-15. The Knights amassed 45 kills to Life University's 36 in the contest, holding a favorable 8-3 lead in service aces in the match.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
— Gabriela Rivera led the team with 18 assists in the contest while Erica Irby posted 14 kills.
Up next, the Running Eagles will host conference foe Blue Mountain State on Saturday, October 4th in the Life U Upper Gym.