Bison eliminated in PAC Semifinals by Westminster, 3-2

Andrew Woodley, Sports Information Director

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (Nov. 3) – The Bethany College volleyball team was knocked out of the Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) Tournament by Westminster with a 3-2 loss (21-25, 25-20, 25-16, 15-25, 15-12) Friday night at the Conor Convocation Center.

THE MATCHUP

• Final: Westminster 3, Bethany 2 (21-25, 25-20, 25-16, 15-25, 15-12 | Box Score)
• Records: Bethany 21-12 | Westminster 26-5
• Location: Conor Convocation Center | Crestview Hills, Kentucky

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Bethany led 17-11 in the opening set of the match, before a Westminster run closed the gap. The Titans eventually tied the match at 19-19, but an attack error and a service ace helped the Bison pull away for a 25-21 win and a 1-0 lead in the match.
• Westminster commanded the second set, leading 20-12 at one point. Bethany battled back to within one point at 22-20, but the Titans managed to close the set at 25-20 to even the match.
• The third set went back and forth early on, leaving the teams deadlocked at 12-12. Westminster took the next eight points to race out to a 20-12 lead and eventually took the set at 25-16 to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
• The fourth set played similar to the previous set with the teams tied at 8-8 early on. Bethany managed to assume control of the set when they notched 10 of the next 12 points to take a 18-11 lead. Westminster notched a handful of points, but did not overcome the deficit to allow the Bison to send the match into a deciding fifth set.
• Bethany appeared to be in control of the fifth set with an 8-5 lead when the teams switched sides. The Bison led 9-5 in the set, but the Titans rallied back to take a 13-9 lead and eventually claimed the semifinal win at 15-13 to advance and eliminate the Bison from the PAC Tournament.

MATCH NOTES

• Sophomore Katie Sparks (Macedonia, Ohio/Trinity) led the Bison with 23 kills and added 14 digs and added a team-high three service aces.
• Senior Sumayyah Muhammad (Warren, Ohio/ Warren G. Harding) and freshman Natalie Spitale (East Canton, Ohio/East Canton) each added 10 kills, with Muhammad adding three blocks (one solo) on defense. 
• Five Bison reached double-figures in digs, with junior Reilly Parker (North Huntington, Pa./Norwin), matching a season-high 38 for the Bison in the loss.
• Freshman Jenna Scott (New Castle, Pa./Liberty Christian) tossed around 49 assists to go with 14 digs for a double-double.

UP NEXT

• The Bison will await to see if they will be selected for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament next week.
• Stay tuned to BethanyBison.com for further updates on the Bison volleyball team.