Winston-Salem, NC – Bluefield State University Volleyball finished 3-3 at CIAA Roundups hosted by Winston-Salem State University.
Bluefield State vs Bowie State – L 1-3 (10-25, 25-21, 20-25, 24-26)
The Bulldogs took the opening set, but the Big Blue responded in set two, holding off a late rally from the Bulldogs to level the match. The Bulldogs took back the advantage after taking the third set, and despite a back-and-forth battle in the fourth, the Bulldogs secured the match victory. Alexia Cunningham led the Big Blue at the net with 11 blocks, while Soniya Garner added 8 kills and 9 digs. Tessa Heffner contributed 15 assists with Kaileigh Solis finishing with 13 digs.
Bluefield State vs Virginia Union – W 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-8)
The Big Blue delivered a dominant performance against Virginia Union, closing out the match in straight sets. After establishing control in the first two frames, the Big Blue held the Panthers to just eight points to take the three-set match victory. Cunningham led the Big Blue with 12 kills while Heffner added 13 assists and Solis came away with 18 digs.
Bluefield State vs Virginia State – L 0-3 (22-25, 25-27, 25-16)
The Big Blue fought through a tightly contested match against Virginia State. The Trojans claimed set one before taking set two in extra points (27-25) and closing out the match in set three 25-16. Heffner finished with 14 assists and 11 digs.
Bluefield State vs Shaw – L 2-3 (17-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-25, 8-15)
After dropping the opening frame, the Big Blue rallied back to take set two and three to take the 2-1 lead. Shaw answered in the fourth to force the deciding fifth set before sealing the match with a 15-8 set win. Solis anchored the Big Blue defense with 25 digs. Heffner orchestrated the offense with 22 digs while Callesta Styles finished with 11 kills.
Bluefield State vs Lincoln – W 3-0 (25-10, 25-22, 25-17)
The Big Blue opened day three with a commanding three-set victory against Lincoln (PA). The Big Blue set the tone early, taking the set one 25-10 victory. The Lions kept the score tight in set two, but the Big Blue executed key plays to take the set win (25-22) and used that momentum to take set three 25-17. Syah Neal led the attack with 11 kills while Kandace Griffin contributed 10. Mekenna Scott and Heffner came away with 17 assists each with Heffner adding seven ace serves.
Bluefield State vs Elizabeth City State – W 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 30-28)
The Big Blue capped off the weekend with a sweep over Elizabeth City State, with each set being decided by two points. The Big Blue took the early advantage, taking set one and two. The final set featured 16 ties and eight lead changes before the Big Blue outlasted the Vikings to take the 3-0 victory. Garner and Danielle Robinson led the Big Blue with eight kills each, with Robinson adding 14 digs.
Up Next: Bluefield State vs Claflin, Thursday, October 8th at 6 p.m.
