BRIDGEWATER, VA. - The Bridgewater College Volleyball team battled for a strong ODAC win Saturday afternoon against rival Lynchburg College. Bridgewater defeated the Hornets by a final score of 3-1(25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20). 

Lynchburg came in 5-3 in ODAC play, while the Eagles were 6-3. 

Rachel Gaston led all players in kills with 16. Carleigh Studtmann was also a force on the offensive side, with 12 kills and two blocks as well as a .550 kill percentage. Taylor Sale added 11 kills. Victoria Wilson was spectacular, notching a double-double with 47 assists and 11 digs. Macon Frey came up big in key situations with five service aces and 20 digs. 

BC grabbed a small 15-11 lead in the first set after a 4-0 rally ending in a service ace by Madison Haynes and a kill by Gaston. The Hornets were able to tie it up again at 18 on a service ace by Syndey Frink, however the Eagles finished the set strong, going on a 5-2 run to take the set. 

BC jumped out 6-2 in the second set, but were stopped again by the Hornets, who tied it up at 7-7 after a 5-1 run. Both teams were back-and-fourth until three consecutive errors by Lynchburg gave the Eagles a 20-17 advantage and were able to hold out for a 25-24 win. 

The beginning of the third set was all Bridgewater, the Eagles taking a strong 13-4 lead. However, the Hornets battled their way back yet again, tieing it up 23-23 on a kill by Frink. They then won the final two points of the set to win the set and cut their deficit in half. 

Set four was a battle early. Macon Frey had a key service ace to give the Eagles a 4-3 lead. Bridgewater went on a 5-0 rally on the serve of Jenna Hamra later to take a 10-8. The Hornets fought back just like in previous sets and evened the score up at 18, but another service ace by Frey helped BC regain the lead and they wouldn't look back from there, winning the next seven of eight points to take the set and the match. 

The Bridgewater College Volleyball team will return to action at home on Friday, Oct. 27 for Senior Night and their final regular season match against Eastern Mennonite at 7:00 p.m.