Biola’s volleyball team headed to the 2012 NAIA Volleyball National Championship Tournament for the sixth consecutive year and 12th time overall. Ranked No. 4 with a 27-4 overall record, the Eagles performance was solid through pool play and they advanced to the semifinals before the run came to an end.

“This team was one of the best we have ever had at Biola,” said head coach Aaron Seltzer. “The competition was incredible out there and we really were just a few points away from reaching the finals and possibly even winning it all.”

The Eagles started off the NAIA Tournament, held in Sioux City, Iowa, with three pool play matches. Biola opened with a 25-23, 25-13, 25-17 win over Lindsey Wilson College (KY), then clinched defeated No. 17 Missouri Baptist in four, 25-19, 25-22, 16-25, 25-16. The Eagles won their pool with a thrilling five-set 25-18, 22-25, 25-18, 15-25, 17-15 win over No. 9 Lee University (Tenn.), advancing directly the NAIA Quarterfinals.  

Biola opened bracket play with a solid 25-16,16-25, 25-23, 25-20 win over No. 5 MidAmerica Nazarene University and advanced to their first semifinal appearance in four years and seventh overall.

However, the run came to an end in the semifinals as Biola ended its season with a 25-17, 25-17, 25-27, 28-26 loss to GSAC rival and eventual national champ Concordia.

Senior outside hitter Christine Douglas and sophomore middle blocker Amy Weststeyn were named to the NAIA All-Tournament team after reaching double-figures in kills in all five matches. Douglas averaged 3.65 kills per set in the tournament while Weststeyn contributed 3.50 and added 1.30 blocks per set.

“I am proud of our team making it to the NAIA National tournament every year I have been at Biola,” said Douglas. “The week of Nationals is the most exciting, and most fun, time of season; it is a blessing to have been a part of that every year I have been here.”

The tournament saw a number of Eagles reach impressive career benchmarks. Douglas hit a season-best .519 in the quarterfinal match against MidAmerica Nazarene, recording 16 kills while committing only two errors in 27 swings. She added six blocks including one solo.  During her three-year career at Biola, Douglas ranked seventh all-time in kills, finishing with 1,465 in just three years with the Eagles.

Fellow seniors Rachel Buckley, Nicolette Mather and Justine Schoneveld also posted some impressive numbers to close their career. Mather passed the 1,000 kill mark, becoming the 12th player to do so in program history. Buckley finished her career with 311 blocks, ranking seventh on the all-time list including 273 block assists. Schoneveld closed her career 10th on the all-time assists list with 1,992.

Biola had a record number of players earn NAIA All-America recognition this season. Douglas and Weststeyn repeated as NAIA All-Americans, appearing on the first-team. Juniors Gracee Gallarda and Chelsee Arnitz each were named to the second-team. For Douglas, it was her third-straight season earning All-America honors, making her the fourth Eagle to do so and the first since Meghan Warkentin (2003-05).

 

Written by Bethany Wilson, Media Relations Intern. For more information, contact Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator, at 562.777.4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.