NEED TO KNOW
Score: Life U 3, Bryan (TN) 1
Record: Life 8-2
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University women's volleyball team made quick work of Bryan (TN) on Tuesday night, defeating the Lions in four sets, 25-17, 25-21, 22-25, 25-18, inside the Upper Gym. The non-conference victory improved the Running Eagles to 8-2 on the season.
Life came out firing in the opening set and built separation midway through the frame. The Running Eagles led 17-13 before closing the set on an 8-4 run. Medney Garraux powered the finish with three kills during the closing stretch as Life secured a 25-17 victory.
The second set was more competitive as Bryan grabbed an early 5-2 lead, but the Running Eagles responded with a 7-0 run to take control. Life maintained the advantage as Taelynn Epple, Paola Vega and Jadyn Walters continued to find points down the stretch, closing out the frame 25-21 for a 2-0 match lead.
Bryan answered in the third set, building a 17-12 advantage before the Running Eagles mounted a late rally. An Emily Warner service ace helped Life pull within 22-20, but the Lions held on for a 25-22 win to extend the match.
Life bounced back emphatically in the fourth set, racing out to an 8-0 lead and never looking back. Garraux, Walters and Kya Colston paced the offense as the Running Eagles pulled away for the 25-18 set win and secured the match.
Garraux delivered a dominant all-around performance with a match-high 16 kills while adding 17 digs and three total blocks. Walters added 13 kills, while Epple and Vega recorded eight kills apiece. Colston contributed six kills and three blocks, and Warner and Vitoria Reis combined for 35 assists in the victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
– Life U finished with 59 kills, 50 assists, 57 digs, five service aces and eight total blocks.
– The Running Eagles hit .267 as a team and committed 23 attack errors on 135 attempts.
– Life recorded 97 total points compared to Bryan's 81.
– Life won the opening two sets 25-17 and 25-21 before Bryan claimed the third set 25-22. The Running Eagles closed the match with a 25-18 victory in the fourth.
– The Running Eagles posted their highest hitting percentage of the match in the first set at .458 and added a .324 mark in the fourth set.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
– Medney Garraux led all players with 16 kills while adding 17 digs and three total blocks.
– Jadyn Walters recorded 13 kills and two digs.
– Taelynn Epple finished with eight kills, one service ace and a match-high four total blocks.
– Paola Vega contributed eight kills and two block assists while hitting .375.
– Emily Warner dished out 17 assists while adding three kills, seven digs and two service aces.
– Vitoria Reis added 18 assists and five digs.
– Kya Colston chipped in six kills and three total blocks while hitting .312.
– Mia Goldbach registered seven digs for the Running Eagles.
– Rylie Springer contributed six assists, three digs and two service aces.
The Running Eagles return to action this weekend when they host United States Sports University on Friday and Saturday.
