LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Asbury University volleyball team (2-2, 0-0 CCS) earned a four-set victory over Saint Benedict (3-3, 0-0 MIAC) before falling to number five nationally ranked Berry (3-1, 0-0 SAA) in straight sets on Friday at the Transylvania Invitational.
Asbury 3, Saint Benedict 1
Asbury opened the day with a strong performance against Saint Benedict, securing a 25-21, 25-23, 14-25, 25-14 victory. The Eagles controlled the match at the net, recording 10 team blocks and 47 kills while limiting the Bennies to a .182 hitting percentage.
Junior Sophie Glushchak led the attack with 14 kills, while Isabelle VandeSchraaf and Megan Schelling added 10 kills apiece. Abigail Bruner contributed an efficient all-around effort with five kills on a .417 hitting percentage, three service aces, and four total blocks.
Sara Beth Gray directed the offense with 24 assists and two aces, while Julia Wright added 18 assists. Defensively, VandeSchraaf recorded a team-high 15 digs and Ashlynn Smith chipped in 15 digs as the Eagles totaled 67 as a team.
After taking the opening two sets, Asbury dropped a difficult third frame before responding emphatically in the fourth. The Eagles used a dominant 14-9 run midway through the set and closed the match by scoring nine of the final 10 points, including back-to-back service aces from Bruner to seal the victory.
No. 5 Berry 3, Asbury 0
In the afternoon matchup, Berry used a balanced attack and strong serving performance to defeat Asbury 25-18, 25-18, 25-20. The Vikings recorded 11 service aces and held the Eagles to a .039 hitting percentage in the match.
Glushchak paced Asbury offensively with nine kills, while VandeSchraaf added eight kills and seven digs. Katelyn Chapman and Gray shared the setting duties with 11 assists each, and Smith finished with a team-high 14 digs.
Berry gradually pulled away in each set, taking advantage of 24 Asbury attack errors while producing 37 kills at a .260 team hitting percentage. Despite the setback, the Eagles collected 48 digs and remained competitive throughout the third set before the Vikings closed the match late.
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Sophie Glushchak | 23 Kills
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Isabelle VandeSchraaf | 18 Kills, 22 Digs
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Abigail Bruner | 8 Kills, 4 Service Aces, 4 Blocks
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Sara Beth Gray | 35 AST, 14 Digs
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Ashlynn Smith | 29 Digs
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Megan Schelling | 12 Kills, 3 Blocks
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Emma Dean | 7 Blocks
The ladies will finish out the Transy Invite tomorrow, taking on Elmhurst at the Clive M. Beck Center in Lexington, Ky., at 10 AM.
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