The Briar Cliff women's volleyball team battled the Benedictine Ravens through five sets Wednesday evening, falling 3-2 in a hard-fought road match in Atchison, Kansas. With the loss the Chargers move to 5-2 on the season.
Briar Cliff came out strong in the opening set, overcoming an early 4-2 deficit with a 7-0 run to take a 13-9 advantage. The Chargers continued to hold the lead, stretching it to 18-15 before Benedictine rallied late and claimed the set 25-20.
The Chargers answered right back in set two.After the Ravens jumped ahead 10-5, BCU was able to retake the lead at 15-14 before closing the frame on a 10-5 run to even the match with a 25-19 victory.
The third set featured another back-and-forth battle, with Briar Cliff overcoming a 9-5 deficit. A three-point run from Valeria Viroomal helped the Chargers pull even at 9-9, and BCU eventually built a 15-12 advantage. The Ravens then responded to tie the set at 23-23, but the Chargers finished with the final two points to take the set 25-23.
Benedictine built and early 8-3 lead in to start the fourth set and eventually took the set 25-17 to force a deciding fifth.
The Chargers opened the fifth set with a 4-1 advantage, but the Ravens were able to tie the set at 4-4. Benedictine then took control, building a 13-9 lead. Briar Cliff brought the set within one at 13-12 after a three-point run, but the Ravens closed out the match with the final two points for a 15-12 fifth-set victory.
Caton Firkins and Emma Brenelli led the Charger offense with nine kills apiece, while Aliyah Basham added seven kills and Alexis Even contributed six.
At the net, Aubrey Hoeft recorded a team-high eight block assists, while Brooklyn Voss and Firkins added six each. Ireland Jackson led the defensive effort with 10 digs and contributed four service aces.
Briar Cliff returns to action Tuesday, September 2, hosting Northwestern College for their first conference match-up and home opener. First serve is set for 7:30 p.m.
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