BLUEFIELD, W.Va. - The Glenville State Volleyball team finished their weekend playing both the host team, Bluefield State, and Clinton yesterday (Aug. 29) in the Big Blue Classic. The Pioneers ended up splitting on the day, winning 3-0 versus Clinton and losing 3-2 against Bluefield State.
Game One - GSU 3 | Clinton 0
Glenville State put together a strong all-around performance against Clinton College on Saturday, earning a 3-0 sweep with set victories of 25-12, 25-20, and 25-18. The Pioneers controlled the match from the opening serve, using a balanced offense and consistent defense to keep Clinton from gaining momentum. Glenville State came out aggressively in the opening set, recording 19 kills while hitting an impressive .471. The Pioneers quickly created separation and never looked back, taking the first set 25-12. Glenville continued to control the second set, finishing with 15 kills and earning a 25-20 victory to move within one set of the sweep. The Pioneers closed out the match with another solid performance in the third set. The Blue and White recorded 11 kills and held Clinton to a .061 hitting percentage, allowing the Pioneers to secure the 25-18 win and complete the sweep.
Final Stats
Clinton College
Madison Weber led the team in kills with 14 while Heaven Saycon had three. Hannah Knight led in assists with 11, and Sierra Faulkner had five. Naomi House and Chelsie Bell led the team with two blocks, while Camille Newton had eight digs and Knight had six digs.
Glenville State
Gracie Brown led the Pioneers with nine kills, with
Kendel Harris notching eight.
Irmak Bezek had 17 assists and
Elitsa Peneva totaled nine.
Kennedy Navey logged 10 digs, with Bezek following with five. Harris had two service aces and
Deniz Selen Yazar had one block.
Game Two - GSU 2 | Bluefield State 3
GSU took on Bluefield State once again in the final game of the classic. In the first set, both teams were trading points back and forth. For the majority of the set, both teams were fighting to take the lead. Bluefield State would end up taking the lead and running with it to beat the Lady Pioneers, 25-18. Set two would see Bluefield State build an advantage throughout the early and middle stages, taking a big lead of 20-10. Glenville State challenged the Big Blue and fought their way back into contention. However, Bluefield State was able to maintain control and capitalize on key opportunities late in the set. Glenville State remained competitive and continued to fight as the match progressed, but they fell to the Big Blue in the second set, 25-19
Set three saw a different change of pace. Glenville State responded with a strong performance, defeating Bluefield State, 25-17. After dropping the first two sets, the Pioneers came out with renewed energy and quickly established themselves on the court. The Pioneers' offense found its rhythm in the third set, recording 13 kills. This win gave Glenville State important momentum heading into the fourth set. The Pioneers came out determined to keep their comeback alive, matching Bluefield State point-for-point and refusing to let the Big Blue regain control. Glenville State's offense was especially impressive in the fourth set, recording 17 kills. The Pioneers ultimately pulled away late to secure the 25-22 victory and even the match at two sets apiece. After fighting back from a two-set deficit to force a deciding fifth set, Glenville State battled Bluefield State for the match. The Pioneers stayed within striking distance throughout the final set, but the Big Blue ultimately pulled away to claim a 15-12 victory.
Final Stats
Bluefield State
Soniya Garner led Bluefield State with 16 kills, and Jada Burns followed with 10 kills. Tessa Heffner had 40 assists, and Alexia Cunningham had three blocks. Bluefield State's Kaileigh Solis recorded two service aces, and she also had 15 digs.
Glenville State
Gracie Brown and
Kendel Harris led the offensive attack with 11 kills and Mikayala Curry had nine.
Irmak Bezek finished with
23 assists and
Elitsa Peneva had 14. Defensively,
Deniz Selen Yazar finished with six blocks and
Cecelia Bryant notched 11 digs.
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers travel to Salem on Tuesday (Sept. 1). The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
