Bradley volleyball kicked off conference play last weekend at the Renaissance Coliseum versus Belmont and Murray State, finishing 2-0 and winning six out of 10 sets.
The Braves’ first test was on Friday against the Bruins. Belmont took the first set 25-19, but the Braves were quick on their feet and secured second and third sets, 29-27 and 28-26. The fourth set was neck-and-neck. Unfortunately, the Bruins persevered and took both teams into a fifth set.
“I think I speak for the whole team when I say that the tight sets brought out the best of us,” senior Kaylenn Hunt said. “Almost every tight set we have played, we have won, and I think that speaks volumes to the competition and tenacity we have on the team.”
Bradley continued its success in crunch time versus Belmont, winning the set 15-10 and securing the first victory of the weekend.
The Braves were back in action against Murray State on Saturday in their toughest test yet. After the first two sets, the Racers were on track to spoil Bradley’s chances at an undefeated weekend, but the Braves dug deep and swept the final three sets with scores of 26-25, 25-22 and 16-14, respectively.
“Prepping their minds a little bit better maybe [is something to improve on for next games],” head coach Alicia Williams said. “We have to understand that when we are confident, the easy, mundane things are really easy, but when we are not, a simple task like serving a ball over the net is really hard.”
The Braves are on a four-game winning streak, which is the longest winning streak in the Missouri Valley Conference so far for the 2024 volleyball season.
Bradley will travel to Carbondale, Illinois, to face Southern Illinois University on Friday and Springfield, Missouri, to face Missouri State on Saturday.
