SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Behind a dominant 15-kill performance by senior Savanna Riney, the John Brown University volleyball squad swept past Oklahoma Panhandle State (25-22, 25-8, 25-18) on Friday evening (Nov. 1) at Bill George Arena.
Riney led the Golden Eagles' (13-14, 12-7 SAC) offense with a .438 hitting percentage on the outside, contributing 15 kills–and moving into the top five all-time in the program record books, seven digs, and three assisted blocks. Senior Erin Mullins added 13 kills in the middle on a .370 (13-3-27) clip and bolstered the defense with 2 blocks. Senior Taylor Golmen rounded out the attack in the middle with 9 kills, hitting .500 for the third time this season, and led the hosts in blocking with five assists.
Senior Julie Milligan anchored the back row, posting 24 digs and hitting 500 scoops for the season, while senior Emma DeSanti largely orchestrated the offense that hit a season-best .397 (52-5-119), tallying 25 assists, eclipsing the 20-helper mark for the eighth time.
John Brown improved to 8-0 this season when hitting .215 and better, and 11-1 when eclipsing the .185 mark.
"What a great match to honor our seven graduating seniors," head coach Ken Carver noted. "Before the match, there were many stories told, memories shared, and more than a few tears shed as our players reminisced about the impact this senior class has had on the program and this year's team. With so much emotion going into the game, there was always a question of how the team would respond. Our players did an excellent job of channeling their emotions positively, which allowed us to play some of our best volleyball of the season.
"Throughout the match, there were several hustle plays, especially one in the second set, that showed how hard our players were working to express their love for our seniors, each other, and the chance to play together. It's always a pleasure and an honor to coach this group of young women, but I am especially proud of how the team played to honor our seniors and continue creating memories with them on the court. Our attackers did an outstanding job putting balls down for points with impressive efficiency. With only five attack errors the entire match, our front-row players excelled at protecting the ball and minimizing giveaways due to errors."
In the first set, both teams traded points throughout, trading eight lead changes and battling through 13 ties. Finally at 20 apiece, kills from Mullins, Golmen and senior Lilly Ruston powered JBU to a set-clinching 5-2 run to take a 1-0 lead. It was all Golden Eagles from then on out.
A 10-1 run broke open a 6-3 score, shooting the Golden Eagles out to a 17-4 lead in the second. Another 8-2 run ended the set quickly with John Brown hitting a match-best .500 (16-2-28).
Riney hit her stride in the third, smacking six terminations on a .500 attacking effort, but OPSU battled to a 12-11 lead midway through the third. An 8-0 response from the hosts, including five of Riney's six kills in the set, blew open the set and handed JBU a commanding 19-12 advantage. Kills from Ruston and Mullins closed the match as the teams largely traded the final 12 points.
Oklahoma Panhandle State (8-19, 6-13 SAC) was led by Ava Newby's 13 kills, while Nyah Ulmer finished with a double-double, passing 20 assists and posting a team-leading 14 digs on defense. Despite their efforts, the Aggies were held to a .143 hitting percentage (27-11-112).
With the win, JBU looks to continue positioning itself for a top-four finish in the conference, but will welcome Wayland Baptist (Texas) to Bill George Arena in a key matchup Saturday afternoon (Nov. 2). The 2 p.m. first serve is slated to be carried on the SAC Sports Network.
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