Box Score BLUFFTON: Mount Saint Joseph University traveled to Bluffton on Wednesday.They were in good spirits as they had just beaten Earlham in a highly contested five set match in which they won. The Mount came into tonight second in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference in digs per set. This effort is due to newly ranked Brooklyn Brunner who cracked the top five in digs per set wednesday increasing her average to 4.93 D/S. Brooklyn's progression this season has improved has the team has figured out their identity. Bluffton came into the match at a record of 5-18.
Set 1: The Mount would come out in the first set and Bluffton would jump out to an early lead as the lions would trail by as much as 8 points. The Mount would start to build their comeback in the set with several two point runs and a three point run with Karlie Schell behind the line,the Lions would go from down 9-17 to tied at 23-23. The game would stay neck and neck with Bluffton having the point advantage would ultimately end the set for the Mount off a ball handling error to give the Beavers a 29-28 lead. Bluffton would serve, The Mount would tried to sideout quick to get the serve back but Bluffton would put the set away. Makayla Chambers would eventually end the entire match with 12 kills and 1 solo block.
Set 2: The Mount would carry their momentum into this and start off with a 5-1 run. On the other hand, Bluffton would do the same exact thing on their own 5-1 run. So we are tied at 6, this game would have just 5 lead changes. The Mount would hold the lead for most of the match Bluffton would just stick around keeping it close. Then eventually the match would get to 23-23 and the last lead change of the set would occur. Bluffton would score two straight in a demoralizing loss where they had a lead for the entire match but couldn't seal the deal.
Set 3: The Mount felt that momentum finally starting to build. Fatigue was setting in and Bluffton was a much deeper bench team. Coach John Spinney continued to push these girls as the match went on to fight throught the sets. They would start off the set hot, taking a boisterous lead of 13-9. The lead would only change once and The Mount would take the lead right back after a killl by Kara Bradley. The lions wouldn't give the lead back and would pounce on a set 3 win 25-21. Brooke Aselage would hit a below average but still fantastic .218 htting percentage.
Set 4: The Mount came out neck and neck with Bluffton. Then Bluffton would take a 4 point lead 14-19 and then Bluffton would begin to run away and would go on a 6 point run to close out the set.
