Women's Volleyball 11/20/2024 11:30:00 PM Braden Mottor

Lady Eagles Go 1-1 in Day One of the National Tournament

Boyce Game Recap:
To kick off the 2024 National Tournament, the #6 Lady Eagles squared off against the #3 Boyce College Bulldogs. With the Bulldogs having won their previous meeting (September 27th), the Lady Eagles were determined to turn the tables.

In the opening set, the Lady Eagles secured a 25-18 victory over the Bulldogs, taking an early 1-0 lead. After their 0-3 loss in the earlier matchup, the Lady Eagles had already shown improvement in their play. Although they lost the second set 22-25, it was a hard-fought battle that could have gone either way. The third set proved even more competitive, but again, the Lady Eagles came up short, falling 24-26, forcing extra points in the third. With the match on the line, the Lady Eagles needed a win in the fourth set to force a fifth. However, after two intense but ultimately unsuccessful comeback attempts, they were defeated 3-1 by Boyce College in the opening round of pool play.

In the defeat, freshman All-American Sydney Anderson stood out, contributing 14 kills and 5 blocks to lead the Lady Eagles at the net. Sophomore Lyssie Metzker also had a strong performance, posting 10 kills and 16 digs. Defensively, libero Hope Brooks recorded 16 digs, along with 29 receptions and 3 assists, rounding out a solid effort for the team.

Arlington Game Recap:
With nearly eight hours between matches, the Lady Eagles found themselves facing the top-ranked team in both the power ratings and coaches poll, as well as the #2 team in the National Tournament, the Arlington Baptist University Patriots. As the first-ever Arlington vs. Pensacola matchup in program history, both teams were determined to win this inaugural and crucial contest. A loss would leave the Lady Eagles in a difficult position to advance to the National Semi-Finals, but a win would greatly enhance their chances of making it to the Semis.

After a slow start to the match, the Lady Eagles dropped the first set 15-25 to Arlington. However, the setback ignited a spark within the team, fueling them for the remainder of the match. With both teams battling fiercely in the second set, the score was tied at 16-16 before a crucial kill from setter Helen Payton gave the Lady Eagles momentum. They finished the set strong, closing on a 9-2 run to even the match at one set apiece. Arlington tried to regain control at the start of the third set, jumping to an early 4-0 lead, but the Lady Eagles responded with a stunning 25-7 run to secure a 25-11 victory and a 2-1 match lead over the Patriots. Arlington came out strong in the fourth set, trying to swing the momentum back in their favor. But trailing 18-21, the Lady Eagles refused to back down. Behind two kills from Metzker and two from Anderson, the Lady Eagles went on another impressive 7-0 run to close out the set and win the match!

Individually, the Lady Eagles were led by sophomore Lyssie Metzker, who recorded 12 kills and 13 digs. Freshman duo Olivia Boyd and Sydney Anderson each added 9 kills, while senior Allie Whiting contributed 8 kills, 13 digs, and 4 assists. It was truly a team effort that secured the victory for the Lady Eagles!

What's Next:
Tomorrow, the Lady Eagles will enjoy a well-earned "day" off. However, at 7:30 PM, they will have the chance to potentially secure a spot in the National Semi-Finals! Facing off against the #7 ranked Faith Baptist Bible College, the #6 seeded PCC Lady Eagles must win their final pool-play match to advance. There is also a possibility that Pool B (Pensacola Christian, Boyce College, Arlington Baptist, and Faith Baptist) could see three teams finish with a 2-1 pool-play record.

Stay updated and get real-time information on the Lady Eagles' tournament progress by following @eaglespccwvb on Instagram. For full coverage of all PCC Eagles teams, events, and schedules, follow @eaglespcc on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Players Mentioned

#7 Olivia Boyd: OH; 5' 7"; Freshman

#2 Hope Brooks: DS; 5' 3"; Sophomore

#4 Helen Payton: S; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#13 Allie Whiting: OH; 5' 5"; Senior

#14 Lyssie Metzker: OH; 5' 3"; Sophomore

#15 Sydney Anderson: MH; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#7 Olivia Boyd
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: OH

#2 Hope Brooks
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: DS

#4 Helen Payton
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: S

#13 Allie Whiting
: 5' 5"; Senior
: OH

#14 Lyssie Metzker
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: OH

#15 Sydney Anderson
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: MH