California Baptist University
Biola University (Calif.)
TRIO'S 14 SCALDS EAGLES
9/16/2006 7:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- Things didn't look so great for California Baptist after the first game.
Down one set to a dangerous No. 20-ranked Biola squad, which was fresh off a tough loss at the hands of No. 10 Azusa Pacific earlier in the week, the 2-time defending NAIA Champions had to reach for a little extra.
That's when having players like Yudelka Bonilla around comes in handy.
Bonilla finished the match with 14 kills and hit .290 the rest of the way after starting slowly, with just 2 pointers in the opening set. She also ended with 9 digs and 6 service aces.
"The way Yudelka stepped up and showed a lot of leadership made the difference tonight," said head coach Ryan McGuyre, a graduate and former head coach of Biola. "We really struggled to find consistency in the opening set, but Yudelka just stepped up and set the tone the rest of the way."
The Lancers hit just .043 (11-9-47) in the opening set, but recovered thanks to a total of 14 team blocks to win the final 3 games, and the match, by scores of 28-30, 30-21, 30-22 and 30-22. The NAIA's No. 3-ranked California Baptist dropped the first set in its last 28 chances in the opening game, but recovered to stretch its win streak to 10 matches for a 13-1 record (4-0 in GSAC play).
Meanwhile, the Eagles hit just .116 (48-31-146) and fall to 7-5, 1-3, despite 13 blocks in the match.
Knotted at 14-14 in the second set, Bonilla went to work for the Lancers, serving a 5-0 rally that including a pair of aces along with kills from Verania Willis and Shi Fei, who also ended the night with 14 kills apiece.
California Baptist then finished the game on a 9-5 run, highlighted by a pair of aces from Caitlin Parker, who dealt out a grand total of 46 assists in the match.
The momentum carried over for the Lancers the rest of the way, as Angela Willis hit for a team-high .474 (10-1-19) percentage and boasted 9 blocks and 4 aces on the night.
For the most part, the Lancers were able to hold down the fort against every Eagle not named Meghan Scheenstra--the only Biola hitter in double-digits with 26 kills on a lop-sided 71 attempts.
California Baptist's 14 blocks were the most since the team posted 17 stuffs against Azusa Pacific last November.
"Our crowd was into it tonight, especially after Yudelka came alive," said McGuyre, whose teams are now 27-2 at home since the start of 2004. "We love playing at home, and it's a special thing when our players can get the fans into the action like they did tonight."
