COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Led by another pair of strong performances from junior Savanna Riney, the John Brown University volleyball team closed out its showing at the Columbia (Mo.) Hampton Inn Classic with a pair of wins, including an impressive 3-1 upset of host Columbia (Mo.) on Saturday (Aug. 27).
After dropping a close first set, the Golden Eagles (3-1) rattled off three consecutive wins (23-25, 25-23, 25-19, 27-25) to complete its second ranked upset of the weekend behind a 21-kill performance from Riney. John Brown also dispatched Tabor (Kan.) earlier in the day in the same fashion – dropping the first set followed by three victories – by scores of 26-28, 25-21, 25-15, 25-18.
Three wins in four matches concluded a very impressive opening weekend for JBU, in no short part due to the pair of 20-kill performances from Riney. After setting a career high with 22 against No. 25 Ottawa (Kan.) the day before, Riney paced all hitters with 21 terminations on 50 attempts (.340), but also completed a fourth double-double by adding 10 digs – and five blocks – to the defensive effort.
Senior Ellie Lampton and junior Micah Fouts added 11 and 10 kills, respectively, as the Golden Eagles bounced back after hitting just .143 in the first set to finish the fourth match in two days with a .233 effort (55-18-159), and limiting the hosts to just .189 (58-28-159).
JBU posted 10 team blocks, including solo rejects from Riney, junior Delaney Barnes, sophomore Callie Mullins and sophomore Lilly Ruston. On the back line, senior Jillian Blackman notched 21 digs, pacing three Golden Eagles that earned double-digit scoops. Sophomore Julie Milligan added 12.
Seniors Lauren Cloud and Morgan Fincham nearly equally kept the John Brown offense in rhythm as the duo passed out 25 and 24 assists, respectively.
Earlier in the day, John Brown dispatched Tabor on the heels of four double-digit kill performances from Riney (13), Fouts (12) and Lampton (10). Sophomore Taylor Golmen also contributed an incredibly efficient performance – hitting .462 to finish with 13 kills on 26 swings. Lampton also boasted a .588 mark (11-1-17) as the Golden Eagles hit .331 (66-17-148) in the morning matchup.
JBU enjoyed a season-best 10 aces from the service line, paced by three from Riney. Fincham, Cloud and junior Brittney Ware each contributed two apiece.
Now John Brown will quickly turn to Sooner Athletic action, beginning with a two-match road trip that starts with a 6 p.m. contest at Oklahoma City on Wednesday (Aug. 31). The match will air live – for a fee – on the SAC Sports Network.
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