Bible thumps Chestnut Hill volleyball

by TOM UTESCHER

After following the wrong set of driving directions, the volleyball squad from Philadelphia Biblical University (formerly Phila. College of Bible) arrived late at Chestnut Hill College last Thursday evening, but once the match finally got underway the visitors got right down to business against the host Griffins, winning 30-13, 30-14, 30-11.

The CHC spikers, seeking stability under their third head coach in as many years, slipped to an 0-3 mark on the season, while the powerful Crimson Eagles ran their record to 4-0.

The Griffins’ new mentor, Jessica Coyne, was originally hired as an assistant coach at the college, but moved up to the top spot when the former head coach suddenly resigned. She played briefly at Chestnut Hill herself before transferring to Lehigh University, and for the past three years she coached the volleyball team at Little Flower Catholic High School For Girls. Her assistant coach, Tanisha Staggs, played volleyball and basketball at Virginia Union University.

The young CHC squad, which has no seniors on its roster, ran up against a PBU club led by 6’2” middle hitter Sarah Wenger and outside hitters Heather Lowe (5’10”) and Erika Samuelson (6’0”).

A kill by freshman Lacey Robinson gave the Griffins the first point of the night, but the Eagles countered with six straight and led for the rest of the opening game. Hits by Robinson and fellow freshman Erica-Marta Anagnos kept the hosts close up to 11-7, then PBU’s Lowe scored on a tip for the side-out and proceeded to the service line to engineer a run which put the Eagles up 20-7. The visitors went on to win, 30-13.

Chestnut Hill also hung close for awhile in the second go-round, only trailing 5-7 before PBU pulled away with a run of seven straight points. CHC’s Anagnos recorded three kills but the Griffins never really got back into contention as their guests won the game by 16 points.

In game three, the Crimson Eagles jumped out to a 5-0 lead at the outset and didn’t look back, soaring to an 18-2 advantage. Here, however, the Griffins fought back gamely, and didn’t allow their guests to simply coast to the finish line. Junior Christie Cannon, sophomore Tania Rivera, and freshman Lauren Brody each recorded kills to slow down the Eagles, but eventually PBU outpointed the Griffins 12-9 during this final phase to clinch the game and the match.

For the winners, Natalie Nolt was the primary setter as Wenger scored 15 points on eight hits, six blocks, and a tip, and Lowe chalked up ten with eight hits, a tip and a block.