Bryan College Women's Volleyball News

The Bryan College Women's Volleyball team experienced highs and lows this weekend (9/10 and 9/11) in games against Virginia Intermont College, King College, and Milligan College.

Friday night, the Lions led start to finish in a home match against Virginia Intermont, winning 3-0.

Bryan started fast in the first game, building sizeable leads of 9-1 and 20-8, and never looked back.

Individual highlights:
Randi Mellon - 29 Assists, 7 Kills, 6 Aces, 7 Digs
Rebecca Rusch - 11 Kills, 9 Digs, 5 Aces
Kim Barlow - 12 Kills, 1 Block

Saturday morning, the Lions hoped to improve on their 1-7 record versus King the last three years. The Lions looked strong in game 1, controlling the game start to finish. In game two, however, the Lions were not able to put away a 26-21 lead and allowed King to win 31-29. The visiting Lady Tornados seized momentum and slowly pulled away in games 3 and 4. The match had the potential of going five games, but several errors cost the Lions the chance of staying close. With only a point separating the teams at 13-14, Bryan failed to capitalize, missing two key serves and allowing King to pull ahead 18-14. The Lions could not close the gap, then more calamity: senior captain Randi Mellon, the Lions' All-conference setter, went down hard and injured her wrist. Trying to play with the injury, Mellon was not nearly as effective up front, and the team slowly allowed King to pull away.

In game 4, Mellon went down hard again, going after a loose ball, and further injured her wrist. She was removed from the game, and the Lions never recovered.

Key players:
Rebecca Rusch - 15 Kills, 7 Digs, 1 Block
Randi Mellon - 38 Assists, 11 Digs, 1 Block
Kim Barlow - 11 Kills, 2 Solo Blocks, 1 Block Assist.

In the afternoon match against Milligan, Bryan was never able to find a rhythm. Randi Mellon was on the bench with a wrist sprain, so freshman Kathryn Rawley came in to set. This shifted the entire team into a new rotation, and the team did not execute well. Then senior Catherine Strode was removed with an injury midway through the first game, and the Lions were left in disarray. Although they were able to pull out a win in game three, they played from behind most of the match.

Injury Report: Randi Mellon will likely miss Tuesday's home game against Tennessee Wesleyan, but may be able to see limited action in a non-setting role during the Lions' trip to North Carolina. Catherine Strode is unavailable for action this week, but hopefully will be back in the lineup beginning Sept. 21. MB Kim Barlow is nursing shin-splints and ankle swelling, but should be able to play this week.

The VIC and King matches were very promising, until injuries started to mount. The team can be very effective offensively, but is still learning the defensive scheme incorporated this season. It is exciting to play matches in front of the enthusiastic crowd in our home gym.

Look for our freshmen to see valuable minutes during the matches this week. Coach Sayles believes if the team can weather the recent injuries, they can get back on track for the rest of the season.

Next Home Game: Tuesday, Sept. 14 vs. Tennessee Wesleyan.

Leo R. Sayles
Head Women's Volleyball Coach
Bryan College

leo.sayles@bryan.edu
www.bryan.edu