by Elly Ashlock | Nov 14, 2021 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb volleyball team was boldly victorious over the North Alabama Lions in straight sets at Allen Arena Friday night. The team opened a packed two-game weekend with a pregame tailgate and a bittersweet senior night. Lipscomb recognized five seniors: Logan Gish, Garrett Joiner, Kat Lowry, Alex Spencer, and Lanie Wagner. To begin the night, North Alabama claimed the first three points before Kat Lowry fired a kill that was mishit off a defender. Despite her season-ending injury, Wagner stepped on the court to serve for Lipscomb. “It was really cool to see us gather around each other,” hitter Addi Pelham said. “We were very encouraging towards one another, especially for the seniors tonight.” Both teams struggled to keep their attacks in play. However, Garrett Joiner was able to break the streak sending the Bisons on a 4-0 run to tie the set 7-7. Pelham aided her team to a 14-9 lead, firing back-to-back kills over the net, forcing a North Alabama timeout. Staying ahead, Pelham teamed up with Meg Mersman for the remainder of the critical points of set one. The two hitters charged the net with a solid block followed by a solo kill from each. These points carried the Bisons to set point, which was quickly earned by a service error from the Lions. Lipscomb took the first set 25-13. Lanie Wagner opened up set two with a service for Lipscomb. Unlike the first set, the teams battled for the lead point-by-point with multiple errors from the home team. It wasn’t until the score reached 6-6 that Lipscomb held another 4-0 run led by seniors Garrett...
by Elly Ashlock | Oct 16, 2021 | News Slider, Sports
The Bisons got back to their winning ways in a Thursday night showdown with the Jacksonville State Gamecocks by a 4-1 scoreline Thursday. Both teams were looking for a win in this critical west division match; Lipscomb especially were desperate after a recent 2-1 loss at Eastern Kentucky. “I’m really pleased,” said Coach O’Brien. “To rebound off a result that was tough to take this was exactly what we needed.” The Bisons were rowdy from the get-go, maintaining the ball in their attacking third and earning a corner kick in the first five minutes. The first shot of the night was a goal by redshirt sophomore Molly Grant from just a few yards out, with the assist credited to Haley Williams. Their attacks weren’t the only thing powerful from the start. The Bisons’ strong defense forced the Gamecocks to play the ball back often, altering the Gamecocks’ ability to string together attacks. About halfway through the first 45, momentum shifted slightly as the Gamecocks began to hold more possession in search of the equalizing goal. In an attempt to capitalize on a good-looking run, the Gamecocks registered a shot on goal but it was an easy grab for Lipscomb goalkeeper CJ Graham, her first save of the night. With a lead in place, Coach O’Brien brought in 4 pairs of fresh legs. Skye Baun, Noa Ganthier, Shadia Valenzuela, and Kammy McGee contributed a hefty effort to finish the half. The second half was all Bisons from whistle to buzzer. It began much like the first: immediate control from the home team. With the help of Allie Dunn, Grant continued...
by Elly Ashlock | Oct 10, 2021 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb volleyball team came away with a clean sweep over Bellarmine Friday night in Allen Arena. The Bisons faced the Knights earlier in 2021 during their spring season, beating them in three sets. On this occasion, Lipscomb was able to secure its sixth straight win over Bellarmine this year in the same fashion. For longtime head coach Brandon Rosenthal, the key to victory was simple. “I know it sounds cliche, but I think we know what our strengths are,” Rosenthal said. “Our strengths are serves, I thought we did a great job at serve receive and then when you look at having four players in double-digits kills in a three set match, that’s hard. That’s hard to defend.” Lipscomb led from start to finish, beginning with 3 strong kills from sophomore outside hitter Kamryn Bacus. The Bisons put together a 4-0 run with serves from setter Delaney Dilfer, a sophomore from Austin, Texas. The set was pushed to 8-4 as freshman Anna Aubele and senior Logan Gish pounded back-to-back kills. Gish tallied up the most kills on the night with 13 to note. After a couple of Lipscomb errors, the Knights began to close the gap bringing the set to 14-13. As Anna Aublele logged her sixth kill of the set, the Knights called their first timeout. Returning to play, the Knights were humbled by an Addi Pelham rocket; run led by server Delaney Smith from Cincinnati, Ohio. Unable to catch up, the Knights fell in the first set 25-18 after two key service aces from outside hitter Logan Gish and defensive specialist Ashleigh Albert. Ashleigh leads the...
