SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- The John Brown University volleyball squad secured a decisive victory in Saturday's Sooner Athletic Conference matchup, sweeping the Science & Arts (Okla.) in straight sets (25-18, 25-21, 25-16) inside Bill George Arena.
JBU showcased efficiency and dominance across all facets of the match, outpacing USAO with a team hitting percentage of .256, while holding the Drovers to a .106 attack percentage. The Golden Eagles' defensive presence at the net was formidable, recording 26 block-assists – for the second consecutive match – to stifle USAO's offensive momentum.
"This afternoon's straight-set sweep of USAO was a gratifying way to cap a busy week. After three matches, including last night's back-and-forth battle with MACU, I wasn't sure how much energy we had left.
"Our blocking was outstanding again, with 13 total team blocks, and we served aggressively, earning points from the line. Offensively, we executed at a level I believe we can maintain. This week, we made significant strides in our execution and mental toughness. The players worked hard, and I'm happy they saw positive results. We still have room to grow, but I feel like we're beginning to hit our rhythm as a team."
Senior Savanna Riney led the Golden Eagles' offense with a match-high 9 kills on 33 attempts, hitting .242, while also contributing 5 digs and 1 block assist. Junior Ella Yarborough matched Riney with 9 kills on a .318 hitting percentage, and senior Taylor Golmen added 7 kills on 17 attempts with a team-best .353 hitting percentage. Junior Emma DeSanti directed the offense, tallying 12 assists, a service ace, and 4 digs.
Defensively, senior Julie Milligan anchored the back row with a match-high 21 digs and 4 service aces to keep USAO out of system. At the net, senior Erin Mullins and junior Emma-Kate Schaefer dominated, with Mullins contributing eight block assists and Schaefer adding five. Their combined effort disrupted USAO's attack, holding the Drovers to a negative hitting percentage in the final set.
The Golden Eagles set the tone early in the first set, capitalizing on USAO errors while maintaining a consistent offensive rhythm. JBU jumped out to a 12-2 lead in the set, thanks in part to strong serving from Milligan and aggressive net play from Golmen and Schaefer. USAO's attack struggled to gain traction, hitting just .128 in the opening frame. JBU closed the set on an 11-4 run, led by a pair of kills from Riney and senior Lilly Ruston.
In the second set, USAO made adjustments and kept the score close. Led by Alacia Ledoux, who finished with a match-high 11 kills for the Drovers, USAO managed to find brief moments of offensive success. However, key kills from Yarborough and Golmen and a pair of Riney aces allowed JBU to pull out of a 16-16 tie, winning the set 25-21. The Golden Eagles hit .308 in the second set, their most efficient of the match.
The third set saw JBU's defense step up once again, as Mullins and Schaefer combined for three blocks apiece, leading the hosts to 10 block-assists in the frame. USAO hit .000 in the final set, as JBU's block and back-row defense stifled the Drovers' attack. A continued theme, a 9-1 run, ended the match after a narrow 17-16 Golden Eagle lead late.
The Golden Eagles will now hit the road for a long road trip, beginning in West Texas against Wayland Baptist (Texas) on Friday evening (Sept. 27) inside the Hutcherson Center. The 7 p.m. first serve will air live on the SAC Sports Network.
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