After dropping the first two sets against #10 Dakota Wesleyan, the Briar Cliff volleyball team came back strong in set three and four but fell 1-3. The Chargers took the third set 25-23 and battled in the final set but the Tigers came out on top 26-24.
 
The Tigers started fast off the play of Ady Dwight, who scored four of the Tigers' first six points. DWU jumped out to an early lead and kept the Chargers at a distance throughout set one. After a much stronger start to set two, the Chargers were tied 11-11 with the Tigers after a Chloe Johnson ace. However, the Tigers would take over the set with a 14-3 run.
 
The Cliff fell behind 3-8 in set three, but after battling back they took a 16-15 lead on a Chloe Johnson and Sami Wasmund block. The score tied five times and changed hands four times, but a 3-point run from the Chargers closed out set three 25-23. Wasmund and Filimaua Afatia were responsible for all three points, with each recording a kill and the two teaming up for a block to end the set.
 
"Fili came in off the bench and played hard every point," said head coach Lindsey Weatherford. "I was proud of her discipline blocking and how she managed to terminate the ball to score us points!"
 
The Chargers totaled 16 kills on a .220 hitting percentage in the third set, while holding the Tigers to an attack percentage of .108.
 
The Chargers threw everything they could at the Tigers in the fourth set, but the #10 team in the NAIA held tough taking the set 26-24. BC totaled more kills (16) and had a better hitting percentage (.135) in the final set, while DWU had 12 kills and hit .089.
 
Chloe Johnson led the Cliff with 18 kills on a .238 hitting percentage to go with nine digs and one ace. In two sets of play, Afatia had eight kills, three blocks, three digs and hit .273.
 
"Chloe was everywhere tonight, digging balls in the back row and terminating balls all over the court to score crucial points," said Weatherford. "We have been able to rely on Chloe all season and she works very hard to also support her teammates around her."
 
Wasmund put down 10 kills to go with five blocks and once, while Toria Andre had nine kills and six blocks. Behind the play of the middles, the Chargers out blocked DWU 11-7.  
 
"Our middles were reliable in key situations and helped our fast paced offense run smoothly," noted Weatherford.
 
Briar Cliff is back at the Newman Flanagan Center next Wednesday for a matchup with cross-town rival Morningside. First serve is set for 7:30 p.m. against the Mustangs.