Golden Eagles sweep past Lyon
John Brown University volleyball improved to 9-9 with a 3-0 sweep of Lyon (Ark.), 25-14, 25-14, 25-23, on Tuesday (Sept. 21) night inside Bill George Arena.
The Golden Eagles hit a .297, its second-best single-match performance of the season, led by freshman Callie Mullins’ third time this season over .500 as she finished at .563 (90-16), while counterpart freshman Taylor Golmen boasted a .526 night (11-119). John Brown (9-9) limited the visiting Scots (9-6) to a .134 (27-14-97) hitting efficiency throughout the match.
Golmen’s 11 terminations led John Brown and Mullins added nine of her own. Junior Ellie Lampton contributed eight kills while sophomore Savanna Riney notched eight.
Sophomore Micah Fouts boasted a pair of kills and three rejections in the middle, while junior Jillian Blackman patrolled the back row to the tune of 19 digs. Juniors Morgan Fincham and Lauren Cloud each posted 11 digs, with the duo wrapping up double-doubles with 21 and 15 assists, respectively.
Fincham and Cloud served up three aces apiece, leading the Golden Eagles to nine aces, keeping Lyon’s back row on its heels and its offensive largely out-of-system. No Scot had more than six kills.
“It’s good to close out our latest home stand with a win as well as string two wins together,” admitted head coach Ken Carver. “After a couple of days off, I felt our team did a good job of coming out and establishing momentum right from the start - winning both of the first two sets by double digits. We were extremely efficient offensively in the first two sets. Morgan followed up her season-best performance on Saturday with another very solid setting performance, as did Jillian, who did a good job of setting balls that were dug by our setters and putting our attacking players in great situations to convert.
“Very efficient offensive performances from Taylor and Callie this evening, as both converted over half of their attempts into kills. Morgan and Lauren did a good job of denying Lyon’s opposite hitters the opportunity of scoring a lot of points from their cross-court shots. Overall, a great way to close out the non-conference portion of our schedule as well as getting this week off to a great start.”
The Golden Eagles improved to 17-4 against the Scots since 1997.
JBU 3, Central Christian 0
McPHERSON, Kan. — The John Brown University volleyball team posted 12 blocks and hit over .250 in two of three sets en route to an easy sweep (25-19, 25-18, 25-15) of Central Christian (Kan.) on Friday night inside Jerry Alexander Arena.
The Golden Eagles (10-9, 4-3 Sooner Athletic) tied their best blocking effort of the season, led by freshmen Taylor Golmen and Callie Mullins with six block-assists apiece.
Sophomore Savanna Riney had a night, smacking a team-leading nine terminations to accompany two solo blocks and another assist.
The John Brown offense clicked to the tune of .211 (40-17-109) in its sixth sweep of the season, controlling all facets of the contest, including aces (7-1), blocks (12-3), assists (37-19) and digs (55-39).
Mostly due to the Golden Eagles’ block party at Alexander Arena, the Tigers (0-17, 0-8) hit just .019 (2321-103).
Golmen posted eight kills and hit .353, while junior Ellie Lampton contributed seven kills on a .294 efficiency. Sophomore Micah Fouts hit perfectly, termination 6 of her 12 swings to finish at .500.
Juniors Morgan Fincham (17 assists) and Lauren Cloud (16 assists) split passing duties nearly evenly, and junior Jillian Blackman dug 18 Central Christian attacks in the back row, while freshman Brittney Ware notched a career-best 11 scoops.
Freshman Julie Milligan contributed eight digs and a pair of service aces, leading the Golden Eagles to seven on the night. Cloud also added a pair from the service line.
John Brown continued its two-match road trip Saturday afternoon when it takes on Langston (Okla.). Results were not availabla at presstime.