NEED TO KNOW
Score: Blue Mountain Christian 3, Life 0
Record: Life 11-11 (6–8 SSAC)
BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. — The Life University women's volleyball team dropped a straight-set decision on the road Saturday, falling 25–16, 25–20, 25–23 to Blue Mountain Christian University. Despite a late push in the third set, the Running Eagles couldn't overcome the Toppers.
Blue Mountain Christian came out sharp in the opening frame, using a 6–0 run fueled by two aces from Valeria Velez to take control early. The Running Eagles managed to steady through the middle of the set with kills from Erica Irby and Sydney Gonzales, but the hosts closed with a 7–4 run to secure the 25–16 result.
The second set was much tighter, with six ties in total. A block by Gonzales and Jade Watson, followed by back-to-back kills from Watson, gave Life early energy. Esosa Ehigiator continued to impress in the middle, converting several quick attacks to keep the set close at 17–17. However, Blue Mountain's serving again made the difference, stringing together late aces and capitalizing on Life errors to pull away 25–20.
Life U carried that fight into the third, trading points deep into the set and rallying from multiple three-point deficits. Ehigiator and Gonzales combined for key kills down the stretch, and Gabriela Rivera's service ace knotted things at 21–21. But, Blue Mountain held firm behind Rachel Stegall and Salice Speed, finishing the frame 25–23 to close out the sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
– Life totaled 36 kills to Blue Mountain's 41, with the hosts hitting .263 to the Running Eagles' .179.
– The Toppers held a decisive edge at the service line, 12 aces to 2.
– Life recorded 8.0 total blocks, led by Ehigiator's five.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
– Esosa Ehigiator led the Running Eagles with 9 kills, hitting .727 with 5 total blocks.
– Sydney Gonzales was efficient on both ends, tallying 7 kills on .875 hitting with 3 block assists.
– Paola Vega added 6 kills and 6.5 points overall.
– Gabriela Rivera dished out 21 assists and added 6 digs and an ace.
– Reign Jarin led the defense with 8 digs while chipping in 3 assists and a service ace.
