WBU Volleyball Drops Home Opener to Bulldogs

The Williams Baptist University women's volleyball team fell to Jarvis Christian College 25-19, 25-18, 25-23 at the Southerland-Mabee Center Tuesday night. 

After dropping the first two sets, the Eagles (0-3) rallied in the third set and used the support of its home crowd to build its advantage to 23-21. The Bulldogs rallied, however, and scored the next four points and end the momentum and take the set and the match from WBU.

Hope Raymond led the way for Williams with eight kills and tied for the team lead with five digs, while Dayshia Espinsoa added six kills and four digs on the night. The Eagles were balanced in their attack in the evening as seven different players registered a kill and eight registered digs. 

Jarvis Christian controlled much of the pacing throughout the first set, but WBU got within 15-13 on a service ace by Alonna Thomas. The Bulldogs responded with a quick three-point spurt to push the lead to four and was the first to reach 20, a hurdle that the Lady Eagles could not overcome.

In the second set the Bulldogs jumped out to a quick lead, but Williams answered thanks to the play of Faith Raymond on serve who helped the Eagle tie the score at 6-6. The score remained close and was tied again at 12-12 before Jarvis Christian went on a 6-1 run to go up 17-13.

WBU again closed the gap with solid defensive play and closed to within 21-18, but they would get no closer as the Bulldogs closed out the set on a strong rally to carry the momentum in the final set. 

Williams returns to the court Thursday, Aug. 31 for a road contest at Rust. First serve is set for 6 p.m.