Bison salvages split with thrilling five-setter

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Bethany College volleyball team opened the first day of the Pam Briggs Classic with a split, falling to co-host Otterbein in straight sets before knocking off Westminster in five sets.  

GAME ONE – OTTERBEIN 3, BETHANY 0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-19) 

Otterbein took control of the first set by scoring 10 of 12 points after the score was tied at five to take control of the opening set. An early run, this one had the Cardinals scoring eight of 11 points to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish.  

Bethany scored four of the first six points in the third set, but OC took the lead by putting 12 of the next 16 points on the scoreboard. The Bison wouldn't fold as it pulled to within a single point, 20-19, but Otterbein scored the final five points. 

INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES 

• Leslie Sanchez led the team with six kills on 14 attempts with zero errors, while Shelby Hornyak added five kills on 14 attempts with two errors.  

• Talia Gallagher recorded finished with 17 assists, marking the fifth straight match with at least 15 assists.  

• Anna Taylor led the team with 10 digs, marking the fourth time in five games with double-figure digs.  

 GAME TWO – BETHANY 3, WESTMINSTER (MO) 2 (21-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-22, 15-10) 

Four Bison finished with double-digit kills as volleyball stormed back from a 2-0 deficit to record the five-set non-conference victory over Westminster.  

The comeback began with one of the better hitting sets of the season. Bethany hit .308 in the third set with 11 kills on 26 attempts and three errors. They followed it up with 10 errors in the fourth set, but were able to hold on, and they were phenomenal in the final set.  

Bethany finished with 10 kills on 18 attempts and one error for a .500 hitting percentage.  

Adriana Gilliam led the team with 14 kills, followed by Sanchez (12), Averie Braymer (11), and Ashton Thomas (10).  

Gallagher distributed a career-high 43 assists and completed the double-double with 14 digs. Taylor recorded a career-high 30 digs.  

INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES 

• Gallagher now has four matches of at least 20 assists.  

• Bethany is now 1-1 in five-set matches. The Bison dropped a five-set to RIT in the opener after winning the first two sets.  

• Taylor has at least 20 digs three times this season and eight in her career.  

• It marks the first time Thomas has recorded double-digit kills and the second time Braymer has achieved the feat.  

Bethany (3-3) continues the Pam Briggs Classic Saturday at Capital University. The Bison will play the co-host Comets at noon, followed by a 2 p.m. meeting with Hanover.