NEED TO KNOW
Score: Life U 3, Blue Mountain Christian 1
Record: Life U 15-5, 5-3 SSAC
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University women's volleyball team bounced back from an opening-set loss to defeat Blue Mountain Christian in four sets Saturday afternoon, earning a 20-25, 25-22, 26-24, 25-12 SSAC victory inside the Upper Gym. The Running Eagles improved to 15-5 overall and 5-3 in conference play with the win.
Blue Mountain Christian controlled much of the opening set and built a 23-16 advantage late. Life rallied with four straight points to cut the deficit to 23-20, but the Toppers closed out the frame for a 25-20 victory and a 1-0 match lead.
The Running Eagles responded in the second set after taking control midway through the frame. Leading 12-8 following a Blue Mountain Christian timeout, Life maintained its advantage and pushed the lead to 24-19 before holding on for a 25-22 set win. Kaylee Cantlin recorded the set-clinching kill to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set featured nine ties and multiple lead changes. Neither team led by more than three points down the stretch before Life erased a 24-22 deficit. An ace from Alanis Calderon tied the score at 24-24 before back-to-back Blue Mountain Christian attack errors gave the Running Eagles a 26-24 victory and a 2-1 match advantage.
Life carried that momentum into the fourth set, using an 8-0 run to turn a 7-7 tie into a 15-7 lead. The Running Eagles never looked back, extending the margin to double digits before closing out the match with a 25-12 set win. Jadyn Walters served up consecutive aces on the final two points of the afternoon to secure the victory.
Kaylee Cantlin led the Life attack with 18 kills while hitting .400. Medney Garraux added 14 kills and 15 digs for a double-double, while Kya Colston contributed 12 kills and five block assists. Vitoria Reis and Emily Warner directed the offense with 51 assists and 26 digs.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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Life U finished with 64 kills, 62 assists, 72 digs, six service aces and nine total blocks.
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The Running Eagles hit .260 as a team and recorded 64 kills on 150 attack attempts.
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Blue Mountain Christian totaled 43 kills and hit .153 in the match.
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Life won sets two, three and four by scores of 25-22, 26-24 and 25-12 after dropping the opening set 25-20.
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The Running Eagles posted their highest hitting percentage of the match in the fourth set at .452.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
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Medney Garraux recorded a double-double with 14 kills and 15 digs.
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Kaylee Cantlin led all players with 18 kills while hitting .400.
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Kya Colston totaled 12 kills and five block assists while hitting .391.
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Vitoria Reis finished with 33 assists, 14 digs and one service ace.
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Emily Warner added 18 assists and 12 digs.
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Jadyn Walters posted nine kills and a match-high three service aces.
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Taelynn Epple contributed four kills on a .444 hitting percentage and added a solo block.
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Esosa Ehigiator recorded three block assists and two kills.
