BUF goes 3-1 at the Regional Kickoff in Greenville to move to 5-3 on the season

Greenville, SC – BUF played in 4 games at Bob Jones University on Friday and Saturday vs 4 opponents. Game 1 was a rematch of two weeks ago against Pensacola Christian College (PCC). These sets went similarly to two weeks ago. In sets 1 and 2, PCC jumped out to the lead and never gave it up. In set 3, the Lady Eagles did get the advantage, but PCC surged to a double-digit lead. However, BUF was able to find some things in the final set. Despite being down 10-21, BUF was able to win 8 of the last 12 points. Once again, as in Talladega, the Lady Eagles turned some late momentum after a difficult start to a tournament into future success. 


Friday night, BUF played against Toccoa Falls to end the day, and the story of this game was completely different. Coach Thais Franca made a few key adjustments. Cheyenne Travis played as the libero, and Avery Mentzer was placed into the starting lineup. These changes proved effective, as Travis committed 0 attack errors and just 1 service error for the 3 sets. Mentzer added reliability and poise as she had 7 digs and 0 attack errors. The passing and setup ability of Leticia Amaral distinguished her. In 3 sets, she had 18 assists; no one had more than 2. In set 1, BUF dominated with 0 lead changes, winning 17-25.  Amaral had 8 assists, accounting for all the assists in the set. With her ability to pass, she was able to set up our big hitters for attacks and kills. In set 2, BUF trailed 9-14 but was able to rally and regain the lead at 19-18, finishing with a winning score of 25-21. In the 3^rd set, the score was tied 15-15 before another strong close by BUF winning 25-17. This young team is learning to close and win competitive matches! 

After going 1-1 on Friday, BUF started Day 2 with a tough test. Bob Jones University (BJU), the host school with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,500 students, was the opponent.  From the years 2018-2023 BJU won 6 straight NCCAA DII women's volleyball national championships. Despite this match being a start-up program going up against an established and accomplished program, it was competitive from the start. In set one, the score was tied 16 times with 7 lead changes. The largest lead was 3. BUF called a timeout down 10-13 and tied it at 14-14. The ending was the closest of the season, tied at 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. To win, a team must take the lead by two points.  Despite either team being able to win consecutive points often during the set, BUF won the last 2 points on big kills by Szonja Csabai for point 26 and Gabriella Zezza for point 27, finishing off the set, resulting in the team going crazy! 

Set 2 was very close with 12 ties and 6 lead changes. No extra points needed in this one, though, as BUF pulled away at the end to win 25-22 and go up 2 sets to 0. In set 3 Amaral rolled her ankle early, and BUF failed to lead in the set. The team struggled without her.  She was determined to play set 4. The fourth set was another 12 tie set with 5 lead changes. BJU led 23-22 late in the set, but BUF was able to win the final 3 points, taking the 4^th set 25-22 and winning the match 3 sets to 1. This victory by the Eagles was the biggest win of the season to date. 

The Eagles played hard. If you did not have previous knowledge, you would not believe that this team had not played double-digit real matches together yet. Leticia Amaral was able to rack up 40 assists in this game, setting up our big hitters. Rebeca Correa had her best game of the season with 15 kills and 16 digs, showing versatility, while being another big hitter who can spike it when set up. Isabela Acevedo had double-digit kills with 10, and Szonja Casbai added 15. Casbai ended with a hitting percentage of 64%, setting a new season high for the team. Her play helped lift the Eagles. 

Game 2 of Day 2 was against Trinity College of Jacksonville. Set 1 was a runaway by BUF; it was never tied, and the lead never changed. The Lady Eagles took set 1, 25-11, and set 2, 25-13, in a similar fashion, dominating Trinity. Closing out the final set of the weekend and the 4^th game was a bit of a struggle, BUF led 22-10, but Trinity was able to make it 22-18 before BUF closed out the last 3, winning the set and the match. Advancing to 5-3 on the season and capping off a 3-1 weekend, BUF made a great showing at their first regional kickoff. 

A consistent rotation or starting lineup has not been easy to find. This is a young team that does not have experience together, but I believe these matches will have a big impact on the season. Mentzer's addition to the starting line up was just what the team needed because she was able to touch some important balls during crucial points. She started every set after the switch and Travis was the libero for the rest of the weekend. It should also be noted that assistant coach Guilherme Freitas is having a significant impact. Few schools have the luxury of having such an impactful assistant. As a former professional volleyball player himself, the players look to him for guidance throughout games, and he speaks from his knowledge and experience.

After being on the road for several weeks, the Lady Eagles return to Graceville for their 1^st home match, Friday, September 12^th at 2:00 p.m. Central time. 

Watch the Lady Eagles Live: Catch all the action from home! The Lady Eagles will live stream their first official home match vs Bob Jones University. You can stream every home game this season by signing up at bufeagles.com/livestream
 
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