By: Aaron Moody – Sports Information
The Beavers played their best volleyball of the season Saturday when they hosted non-conference Harris-Stowe State University and Benedictine University-Springfield. After losing starter Allie Matt due to injury in last night’s match against Westminster College, it was unclear how the Beavers would react. In the opening set against Harris-Stowe, Blackburn struggled to find any consistency and were handled easily 25-11. Blackburn rebounded in the second set and competed hard against Harris-Stowe immediately. For the entire second set, the lead went back and forth. Blackburn tied the score up late at 22 apiece, but Harris-Stowe pulled through and finished off the set 25-22. Facing a possible sweep, the Beavers ignored the pressure and continued to battle. Just like the previous set, the lead changed constantly. The set went down to the wire with the score tied up 23-23. This time Blackburn came out on top and won the set 25-23 to avoid the sweep.
Still facing a possible loss, the Beavers continued to rally. This time the set could not be decided within 25 points. Harris-Stowe had match point two times yet could not put the Beavers away. Blackburn fought back to win the set 29-27. In the deciding fifth set, Blackburn was in position to earn their second win of the season. However Harris-Stowe started the set off hot to the tune of six straight service points. Already down six, Blackburn was unable to bounce back and would eventually lose the match 15-7. For the Beavers, Amanda Miller led the team with ten kills and 16 digs, Amy Walton had 17 digs of her own.
In their second match of the day, Blackburn hosted Benedictine University-Springfield. Once again, Blackburn put the pressure on the opponent in the opening set as Benedictine never held a lead bigger than three points. Yet the Beavers were unable to overcome the small deficit late, despite tying the game up at 24, and lost the first set 26-24. In the final two sets, Benedictine proved to be too strong for the Beavers and won by scores of 25-17, and 25-13. Amanda Miller led the team in kills again with six, while Jessica McClelland had five kills and six digs as well.
Next up for Blackburn will be St. Louis College of Pharmacy at home on Tuesday October 8th. Start time set for 7:00 pm