WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- Limited to hitting below .200 in each set, the John Brown University volleyball team fell in four sets (8-25, 25-23, 21-25, 17-25) to Nelson (Texas) on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 14) inside the Sheaffer Center.
Despite a strong effort, particularly in the second set, the Golden Eagles couldn't maintain momentum against the Lions, which improved to 8-4 overall and 4-0 in conference play. JBU falls to 3-9 on the season and 2-2 in Sooner Athletic action.
Senior Taylor Golmen led JBU's offense with 10 kills on 22 attacks, finishing with an impressive .409 hitting percentage. Golmen also contributed defensively with four block assists, the most of any Golden Eagle. Senior Erin Mullins added nine kills and two block-assists to strengthen JBU's attack, while junior Ella Yarborough posted seven kills and one block assist.
Senior Emma DeSanti recorded 17 assists and added six scoops on defense. Senior Julie Milligan accounted for a team-high 19 digs and contributed one service ace.
Nelson started strong, dominating the first set with a .265 team hitting percentage, while JBU struggled to find its rhythm, hitting just -.067, and took the opening set, 25-8. However, the Golden Eagles rebounded in the second set, improving their hitting efficiency to .188. Behind key terminations and blocks late from Golmen and Yarborough, JBU edged Nelson, 25-23, to level the match at one set apiece.
The third set was competitive, but Nelson regained control late and won 25-21 via a set-ending 11-3 run that eliminated the four-point JBU lead midway through the frame. The Lions then carried the momentum into the fourth set, hitting a match-best .357 and sealing the victory with a 25-17 win.
As a team, Nelson finished the match with a .245 hitting percentage, showing consistency throughout all four sets, while John Brown recorded a .081 hitting percentage. The Lions were led by a trio of double-digit efforts on offense, courtesy of Caroline Boone (14), Lilly Hanna (13) and Alexandra Bonnett (12).
JBU's front-row defense registered 12 total blocks (all assists), with senior Savanna Riney adding three more to Golmen's team-best four.
JBU will return home to Bill George Arena for a three-game week, beginning with welcoming College of the Ozarks (Mo.) to Siloam Springs for the first time as conference foes on Wednesday evening (Sept. 18) for a 7 p.m. first serve. The clash will be carried live on the SAC Sports Network.
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