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Christian Brothers University Athletics

VB24 Senior Day
0
West Ala. WA 2-28,0-20 Gulf South
3
Winner Christian Brothers CB 8-22,4-16 Gulf South
West Ala. WA
2-28,0-20 Gulf South
0
Final
3
Christian Brothers CB
8-22,4-16 Gulf South
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
West Ala. WA 17 14 13 (0)
Christian Brothers CB 25 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball | | James Garcia, Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications

The Lady Bucs honor their seniors with straight-set victory over West Alabama

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Christian Brothers University volleyball (8-22, 4-16 GSC) delivered a clinical performance against West Alabama (2-28, 0-20 GSC) on Saturday afternoon, sweeping the Tigers 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-13) at Canale Arena. This Gulf South Conference matchup showcased the Lady Bucs' offensive precision, defensive tenacity, and superior teamwork. Tia Rizvi, Jordan Allen, Aileen Zavala, Sarah Allyn Thornell, Maddi Rowley and Aldon Pilz were all honored before the match as part of the Senior Day festivities.

Set-by-Set Breakdown

Set 1: CBU 25, WA 17

CBU established its dominance early in the match, leveraging a balanced offensive attack and forcing errors from UWA. Ella Schumacher made an immediate impact with powerful swings from the outside, contributing to her 11-kill performance. Tia Rizvi shined with a flawless hitting performance, earning kills on every attempt in the set. West Alabama struggled to keep pace, committing seven attack errors while only managing a .107 hitting percentage. CBU's effective distribution, led by setter Sarah Allyn Thornell with 9 assists in the set, kept the Tigers' blockers guessing.

Set 2: CBU 25, WA 14

The second set was a masterclass in serving pressure, with CBU notching five aces. Aldon Pilz, in particular, rattled West Alabama's passing unit, registering two consecutive aces during a crucial run. Thornell continued to orchestrate the offense with precision, enabling the Lady Bucs to hit .444 for the set, their highest efficiency of the match. West Alabama's offense faltered, with a hitting percentage of .000, as CBU's defense, led by libero Aileen Zavala with six digs in the set, stifled the Tigers' attempts to build momentum.

Set 3: CBU 25, WA 13

The Lady Bucs closed out the match with their most dominant showing. Schumacher, Rizvi, and Addison Waggoner combined for 10 kills in the set, punctuating CBU's dominance at the net. Defensively, Alma Solis and Schumacher controlled the block, contributing key stops that frustrated West Alabama's attack. Zavala capped her defensive performance with several critical digs, and Pilz sealed the victory with another service ace, her third of the night.

Statistical Highlights

Offense

  • CBU recorded 36 total kills across the three sets, hitting an impressive .392 overall.
  • Schumacher led all attackers with 11 kills on 23 attempts (.348 hitting percentage).
  • Rizvi was nearly unstoppable, finishing with seven kills and a stellar .778 hitting percentage.
  • Thornell tallied 27 assists, ensuring every hitter was involved in the offense.

Serving

  • The Lady Bucs' serving was a key weapon, as they notched nine aces. Pilz contributed three aces, while Rizvi and Zavala each added 2two
  • West Alabama struggled in this area, committing 10 service errors to only six aces.

Defense

  • CBU's back row, led by Zavala with nine digs, limited West Alabama's offensive opportunities. Zavala's performance, complemented by Thornell's six digs, was instrumental in the team's ability to stay in system.
  • At the net, Solis and Schumacher each contributed to key blocks, helping CBU accumulate three blocks as a team.

West Alabama's Struggles

  • West Alabama hit just .080 for the match, with 19 attack errors and nine reception errors.
  • KB Kinney was a lone bright spot for the Tigers, leading the team with eight kills (.250 hitting percentage).

Team Performance Overview

CBU's success stemmed from their ability to maintain balance and composure throughout the match. The team's offensive rhythm, set by Thornell, allowed multiple players to shine. Schumacher's consistent power on the outside, Rizvi's efficiency, and Pilz's versatility made CBU a difficult opponent to defend.

Serving pressure was another decisive factor. By targeting West Alabama's weaker passers, CBU disrupted the Tigers' offensive rhythm and forced numerous free-ball opportunities, which were converted into points with ease.
On the defensive end, Zavala anchored the back row with her quick reads and reliable passing, while Solis and Schumacher provided critical coverage at the net.

What's Next for CBU

The Lady Bucs wrapped up the 2024 season on a high note with this dominant performance and gave their seniors a proper farewell in the process. Head Coach Jared Marks proved he is the right man for the job in leading this program forward and has already made an impact in his first year at the helm. CBU quadrupled its win total from a season ago and notched four in-conference victories compared to just the one in 2023. Overall competitiveness in GSC matches was also much improved with CBU pushing matches to four and five sets more often than not. The future is bright for CBU volleyball as preparations for the next season are already underway.
 
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