Joplin, M.O. – #2 Arlington Baptist University and #4 Bob Jones University clinched their spots in the 2024 NCCAA DII Women’s Volleyball Championship match, as the Patriots defeated #5 Manhattan Christian College 3-2, while the Bruins defeated #3 Boyce College 3-0 in the semifinals on Friday, November 22.
 
#2 Arlington Baptist University 3, #5 Manhattan Christian College 2
 
After a furious comeback in the third and fourth set, #2 Arlington Baptist University used a 7-0 run in set five to clinch a 3-2 victory over #5 Manhattan Christian College to lock up a spot in the national championship match.
 

• Both teams traded points in the first set, before back-to-back kills from Tara Tackett put Arlington Baptist on top 17-15. Manhattan Christian got as close as 21-19, but Teagan Hill tallied her ninth kill of the opening frame, and the Patriots took set one 25-21.
• Arlington Baptist took a 2-0 lead with a 25-19 win in set two, as the Thunder committed 13 attack errors in the second frame.
• Manhattan Christian staved off elimination with a 25-22 win in the third set, and a 25-23 win in the fourth. MCC hit an impressive .325 with 17 kills in the third stanza.
• ABU took a commanding 7-0 lead to start set five, before Manhattan Christian scored three straight points to answer. It was the closest the Thunder would get, as Arlington Baptist punched their ticket to the national championship match with a 15-10 win in the fifth set.
• Teagan Hill shined for the Patriots, recording 23 kills, two block assists, and a solo block. Her teammate Madelaine Blanco tallied 29 digs, while Ashlynn Branch and Kiera Roberson picked up 24 and 26 assists, respectively.
• Despite the loss, Abby Blake recorded 34 digs for Manhattan Christian. Jacey Schurle had 16 kills and five block assists, and Josie Mehl recorded 47 assists.

 
#4 Bob Jones University 3, #3 Boyce College 0 
 
#4 Bob Jones University punched their ticket to the 2024 NCCAA DII Women’s Volleyball National Championship match for the seventh year in a row, knocking off #3 Boyce College 3-0 in the second semifinal.
 

• The two squads traded points and were tied at 20-20 in the first set, but three straight attack errors by Boyce and a kill from Faith Blalock put Bob Jones ahead 24-20. Boyce responded with a pair of kills from Megan Wood and Elyse Rau, and an error from the Bruins cut the advantage down to 24-23. Blalock closed out the first set with a kill off an assist by Elyse Vest, and BJU took set one 25-23.
• In the second set, both teams continued to trade points, before a kill from Emily Lewis put Bob Jones ahead 21-17. The Bruins pulled away to end the set, thanks to a kill from Stefanie Burke and a block and a kill from Hannah Goodwin, and Bob Jon es took the second frame 25-18.
• Bob Jones opened the third set up 7-3, but three straight Bruin errors cut the BJU lead down to just 8-6. Boyce then committed five straight errors, and a block from Goodwin put BJU ahead 16-7. The Bulldogs struggled in the third set, hitting -.125 with 10 attack errors, and a block by Emily Lewis clinched the sweep for Bob Jones with a 25-12 win.
• Goodwin led the Bruins with 13 kills and tallied three solo blocks. Blalock recorded nine kills and 11 digs, while Vest had 18 assists and four aces.

 
#2 Arlington Baptist University and #4 Bob Jones University will face off in the 2024 NCCAA DII Women’s Volleyball Championship match. First serve is set for 1:00 PM CT from Ozark Christian College in Joplin, M.O. For full results of the 2024 NCCAA DII Women’s Volleyball Championship and live video are available here.
 
About the NCCAA
Established in 1968, the National Christian College Athletic Association uses intercollegiate athletics to further the Great Commission and is committed to equipping student-athletes and coaches to make a positive impact for Christ. The NCCAA currently holds 23 national championship events, along with two national invitationals for 92 member schools across 28 states and two Canadian provinces. For more information on the NCCAA, visit our website, thenccaa.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram at @thenccaa.