BRIDGEWATER, Va. (BC Athletics) – The No. 23 nationally ranked Bridgewater College women’s volleyball team fell short to nationally recognized Stevens in five sets for their first loss at home this season while also snapping their 10-match win streak Friday night.

Score: (RV) Stevens (STE) 3, No. 23 Bridgewater (BC) 2
Records: BC (15-2), STE (17-2)

How It Happened
• The Stevens Ducks came ready to play against the nationally ranked Bridgewater Eagles. The Ducks jumped out to an early 8-5 lead and never looked back. Later in the set, STE continued to stay ahead of the Eagles using a four-point run to take an 18-11 lead. BC tried to erase the deficit with a scoring run of its own, but STE held strong and closed the first set, 25-19.
• Although the Eagles cracked the first point of the set, the Ducks continued to stay hungry offensively. Multiple scoring runs would ensue for both sides, but the Ducks still held control. BC stayed within breathing room, but the star outside hitter for STE powered through to find her groove as STE took the second set, 25-19.
• Multiple lead changes and potential momentum swings from sideouts came into focus. The Eagles pushed to a strong 8-3 early lead as Olivia Mason and Claire Griffith paired up to smack consecutive kills. Another six-point scoring run put BC fully in control of the third set. Despite a seven-point scoring rally from STE, the Eagles put STE away in the third set for a 25-22 set score.
• Even more lead changes were at play in the fourth set. The Eagles started out with the lead, then the Ducks came firing back. BC later trapped the STE offense and found enough momentum late in the set to find the edge as Maecy Ann Frizzelle sounded out the fourth set with a thunderous kill and a 25-23 set score.
• The fifth-deciding set dictated the victor. The Ducks jumped out to an early lead while the Eagles roared back and clamped a 7-4 lead to force a timeout for STE. However, the Ducks found their groove, and it was hard to break it, as a six-point run set the tone for the set. Reagan Stoop used every effort to strike back with aggressive looks at the net, but in the end, STE pulled away for a 15-9 final set score.

Match Notes
• Stevens edged Bridgewater in all team categories. Stevens’ star outside hitter, Alyssa O’Neal gathered 23 kills.
• Claire Griffith led the way for the Eagles with 14 kills.
• Reagan Stoop notched her seventh double-double of the season, posting 11 kills and 17 digs.
• Lindsay Kelley totaled a season-high of 38 assists in the five-set setback.

Up Next
The Eagles continue their host tournament, the Mary Frances Heishman Invitational tomorrow, Oct. 17 as they take on Randolph at 11 a.m. and Marymount at 5 p.m. The 50th anniversary alumni recognition ceremony will take place after the 3 p.m. match with Stevens and Marymount.

— BC Athletics —