The Briar Cliff volleyball team nearly completed a reverse sweep of Doane Saturday, but fell 3-2 in the Newman Flanagan Center. Sami Wasmund had a solid night at the net recording 17 kills and nine blocks.
 
"Sami Wasmund, Toria Andre and Jaice Johnsen played their hearts out tonight," said head coach Lindsey Weatherford. "Sami and Toria were our leading terminators and have been much of the season. Jaice Johnsen had her season high digs tonight and was really in a position to dig balls all night long."
 
The Tiger attack was in a rhythm early as they put down 16 kills in the first set and 17 in set two as they took a 2-0 lead. Behind the play of the BC middles, Wasmund and Andre, the Charger block began to pick up in the third set.
 
The Chargers recorded five blocks in the second set as they won 25-15. Andre took part in three of the blocks with a solo rejection, while Wasmund was a part of two. The Chargers jumped out to an 11-4 lead, forcing a Doane timeout following a seven-point run that featured three blocks. BC kept the Tigers at a distance throughout the set as they extended the match to a fourth set.
 
Set four featured more of the back-and-forth action like the first two sets. The Chargers tallied six blocks in the set with Wasmund as a factor in four of the rejections. Back-to-back blocks from Isabelle Lenz and Andre put the Chargers at set point, 24-22, and BC took the set after a Tiger error.
 
The Blue and Gold took a 7-6 lead in the final frame, but the Tigers scored nine of the final 13 points to close out a 3-2 win.
 
Andre totaled 10 kills with 12 blocks (four solo). Emma Brenelli added six kills and five digs after playing three sets off the bench. Isabelle Lenze had four blocks and two kills.
 
"I was pleased with the way Emma Brenelli and Isabelle Lenz contributed coming off the bench, I thought they played hard!" said Weatherford.
 
Avery Beller dug 28 balls to lead the Cliff and was followed by Taylin Boettcher (25), Yenne Schepers (21) and Jaice Johnsen (20).
 
"Taylin Boettcher is an up-and-coming DS for us and just continues to dig a large majority of balls that come over the net," said Weatherford.
 
The Chargers return to the Newman Flanagan Center next Friday when they host Jamestown. First serve is set for 7:30 p.m.