Barons Kick off Season at Bears Invitational
Courtesy of BPCU
Brewton-Parker Christian University Barons kicked off their volleyball season, taking part in the Bear Invitational hosted by Truett McConnell. Playing in three pool play matches on day one.
Game One
In game one, the Braons faced a formidable opponent in the Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs, losing in straight sets. The initial set saw the Barons trailing as they couldn't overcome the Bulldogs' strong start, ending with a 25-13 loss. The second set was fiercely competitive, with Brewton- Parker significantly closing the gap. Despite their best efforts and a close 25-23 score, they again fell short to the Bulldogs. In the third set, Tennessee Wesleyan maintained its domination, mirroring the first set's score of 25-13 and securing the match victory 3-0.
Despite the loss, several players from Brewton-Parker put up commendable performances. Adriana De Jesus led the team with four kills and made significant contributions with two aces. Amme Mobley showed prowess on the defense, topping the blocks chart with three and adding three kills. Taylor Lamontagne was a standout in the back court with 10 digs, alongside contributing three kills and an ace.
Game Two The Barons faced off against Truett McConnell University in game two of the day. The match kicked off with an intense first set, where Brewton-Parker nearly clinched the win. However, Truett McConnell narrowly escaped with a 30-28 victory. The second set saw the Bears take a more decisive lead, winning 25-16. The final set reflected a competitive spirit from the Barons once again, although they fell short with a 23-25 score.
Key player performances included Adriana De Jesus, who led with seven kills, followed by Taylor Lamontagne with six and Raphaela Felisberto with 3. Felisberto also made significant contributions in blocks and assists, tallying two blocks and 15 assists. In defense, Lamontagne showcased her skills with a total of 18 digs. Service was strong from Claire Slocumb, who scored three aces.
Game Three
The Barons ended pool play with a match against the Piedmont University Lions. The Barons dominated the game, winning in straight sets, bringing their season record to 1-2. During the first set, the Barons and Lions traded chances, but Brewton- Parker managed to edge out Piedmont with a score of 25-22. The momentum continued into the second set, where the Barons matched the intensity of the first set and secured another 25-22 victory. In the third and final set, the Barons tightened their play, edging out the Lions 25-21, thus completing the sweep.
Notable performances came from Adriana De Jesus, who led the team with 11 kills, followed by Taylor Lamontagne and Amme Mobley with seven and six kills, respectively. Lamontagne also contributed significantly on the defensive front with five digs and a block. Mobley showed her prowess on serve, landing four aces during the match. Key plays contributed by Raphaela Felisberto, who provided 24 assists and contributed five digs and two aces, supporting both the team's offensive and defensive efforts.
Head Coach Obed Quiles kept his comments short, saying, 'We didn't play our best today. Tomorrow we will do a much better job,' focusing on moving on from the day and keeping the team focused on their next challenge.
Looking ahead, the Barons are set to face Truett McConnell University on August 30, 2025, at the same venue. As they prepare for their next game, the team looks to take the lessons learned from day one of the tournament and apply what they learned in pool play, and be ready to compete and try to win their way to the championship.
