Women's volleyball dropped crucial matches to UVA-Wise and Bluefield

Despite great efforts by Kim Barlow and Abby Humphrey, the Lady Lions dropped two crucial AAC matches this weekend.

Friday, Bryan hosted UVA-Wise. The Lions, boasting a 4-game win streak, looked to move up a spot in the conference with a win. Wise, however, had a different idea. The Lions allowed the visiting Cavaliers to escape, giving up a 5-game loss (30-28, 17-30, 30-20, 21-30, 15-11).

"We tried to adjust our rotation to match up better with Wise, and apparently did not play with our normal confidence," commented Bryan's coach Leo Sayles. "I am still at a loss for words over game 2 - giving up an 8-point run in the beginning - and game 4 - falling behind 11-1. At this level, there is absolutely no way to rebound from such a bad start."

Kim Barlow gave another strong all-around match, finishing with 19 kills, 19 digs, and was a part of 8 blocks. Abby Humphrey kept the Lions in the match with 22 kills and 13 digs. Kathryn Rawley finished with 50 assists, 11 digs.

Saturday morning, the Lions faced Bluefield, a team they defeated with relative ease earlier this season. Not so the second time around. Bluefield controlled the match, though it was a close battle, winning 3-1 (30-26, 30-23, 28-30, 30-26).

"There is not much to say about this match. Bluefield played very well, and wanted it more. Bryan, on the other hand, never showed up," commented Coach Sayles.

Abby Humphrey again turned in a very strong all-around game in the loss, totaling 22 kills and 19 digs. Kim Barlow came close to another 30-kill match, finishing with 27 kills, 7 digs.

"We have so much potential in our freshman class...however, I don't believe the freshmen realize it. The team is waiting for one...any of these freshmen...to step up and give us a big game. Abby, Kim, and Kathryn Rawley are having tremendous seasons, but we cannot be a team of three. Someone else needs to step up and truly share the load, or we will find ourselves out of the conference playoffs for the first time in several years."

Bryan slips to 5-8 in conference, 10-14 overall. The Lions slip to 7th in conference, a half game behind Virginia Intermont. The Lions are off for fall break and will resume match play on Oct. 20, at home against Martin Methodist University.