MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University women's volleyball team earned a straight-set SSAC victory over Andrew College on Saturday afternoon inside the Upper Gym, defeating the Tigers 25-13, 25-14 and 25-18.
Life U overcame an early deficit in the opening set after Andrew College jumped out to a 6-3 lead. The Running Eagles responded behind the serving of Taelynn Epple, who helped spark a 10-2 run with three service aces. Kya Colston added several kills during the stretch as Life U turned the momentum in its favor and built an 18-10 advantage. The Running Eagles continued to pull away late in the frame, closing the set with back-to-back kills from Mia Goldbach and Epple to secure the 25-13 win.
The second set remained close early before Life U broke a 10-9 game open with a strong run. Kills from Jadyn Walters and Taelynn Epple helped the Running Eagles extend the lead, while Emily Warner added three service aces throughout the set. Alessia Kubeyinje also contributed offensively as Life U pulled away late before an Andrew College attack error sealed the 25-14 set victory.
Andrew College raced out to a 3-0 lead in the third set, but Life U answered with six of the next seven points to even the score. The teams battled through several ties before the Running Eagles created separation midway through the frame. A block by Walters and Kya Colston gave Life U a 14-10 advantage, and kills from Goldbach, Colston and Kubeyinje helped maintain control down the stretch. The Running Eagles closed the match with three consecutive points, the final coming on an Andrew College attack error to complete the sweep.
Life U hit .302 as a team while holding Andrew College to a .063 attacking percentage. The Running Eagles totaled 39 kills, 37 assists, 42 digs, 13 service aces and five total blocks in the victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Life U recorded 39 kills, 37 assists, 42 digs, 13 service aces and five total blocks.
- The Running Eagles hit .302 as a team, posting 39 kills on 86 attacks.
- Life U outscored Andrew College 75-45 in the three-set victory.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
- Taelynn Epple led the Running Eagles with nine kills while hitting .571 and added five service aces and three blocks.
- Kya Colston and Mia Goldbach each finished with eight kills. Colston hit .467 and added two blocks, while Goldbach recorded six digs and a block.
- Emily Warner dished out 14 assists, added three service aces and recorded four digs.
- Vitoria Reis directed the offense with a team-high 16 assists while contributing four digs and a service ace.
- Alessia Kubeyinje provided four kills on a .375 hitting percentage off the bench.
