MEMPHIS, TN – Christian Brothers University women's volleyball showed resilience Tuesday night, surviving a five-set battle against Mississippi Christian to earn a 3-2 Gulf South Conference victory inside Canale Arena.
The Buccaneers (7-14, 3-7 GSC) opened the match by winning the first two sets before Mississippi Christian (7-15, 4-6 GSC) fought back to force a deciding fifth set. With the match on the line, CBU responded to secure the victory by scores of 26-24, 25-22, 17-25, 20-25 and 15-10.
CBU's offense was led by Ana Clara Sacca Beltran, who finished with a team-high 15 kills while hitting .239. Alma Solis delivered an impressive all-around performance, recording eight kills on a .389 hitting percentage while adding five solo blocks and one block assist.
Defensively, Sophia Nowacki made a difference for the Buccaneers, collecting a match-high 34 digs to help keep CBU alive in several extended rallies.
Emma Pomaret helped direct the offense with 26 assists and 15 digs, while Ava Hillyer added 15 assists. Sarah Helms contributed six kills, two service aces, and two solo blocks, while Victoria Devenport chipped in seven kills.
The opening set was a battle from start to finish. After trailing late, CBU fought back to tie the score at 24 before closing the set with two consecutive points to take a 26-24 victory.
The Buccaneers carried that momentum into the second set, producing their most efficient offensive performance of the night with 17 kills and a .293 hitting percentage to claim a 25-22 win and take a commanding 2-0 match lead.
Mississippi Christian refused to go away, winning the third set 25-17 before taking the fourth 25-20 to even the match.
With everything coming down to the fifth set, CBU regrouped and delivered when it mattered most, closing out the contest 15-10 in front of its home crowd.
The Buccaneers finished with 50 kills, 89 digs and six service aces, demonstrating the defensive effort and determination needed to pull out the conference victory.
After watching a two-set lead disappear, CBU found a way to finish the job, earning an important conference win and giving the Buccaneers momentum as they continue Gulf South Conference play.
