MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (November 18, 2023) - Saturday was a day destined for greatness at St. Thomas University (STU). The Fernandez Family Center Gym brought the energy as the Volleyball team (26-2, 14-0 SUN) was set to host their first ever NAIA National Tournament game on campus. The matched turned out to all the hype it was set to be with the Bobcats sweeping the Marian Knights (20-11) in straight sets 25-22, 25-23, 25-17.
This marks the third ever national tournament win in program history, the first since 2001. It is the first time STU advances to the final site and into pool play since the implementation of the Opening Round in 2008. With the win, it also marks the third most wins in program history, the most since 1997. The Bobcats extend their win streak to 21 straight.
The freshman Alexandra Bruno, led all players with 11 kills. The Coral Springs native also added 10 digs for the double double. Bianca Grassi was lights out proving time and time again why she is the back row magician picking up 23 dogs for an above seven per set average. She also added six assists and two.
Amanda Allende's also had a double-double with 10 kills and 13 digs. Tayla Barnes wrapped up the top of the offense with 10 kills and two blocks. Payton Bertke led the setting roles with 36 assists she also added another double-double to her resume with 14 digs.
It was a battle to the finish, the first set saw a lot of back and forth but a lot of fight from both teams. STU got out to an early run that had them up 7-3 when Alexandra MacAskill held serve for six straight points. Marian would then work their way back into it and take the lead at 19-17. After a 20-20 lock, STU would pull away with the guidance of the Bruno who had a big solo block and got the final kill.
STU improves to 26-0 when winning the first set this season.
After trading points for the first 10 and each side, Marian started to slip away with the lead and hold a four point advantage at 15-11. Head Coach Whitney Battle called a timeout to regroup the team and refocus. That is exactly what happened as STU went on a 4-0 rally to tie it up at 15 all. Bruno and Bertke were to thank picking up three of the four points on kills. Both teams locked in and went to work trading points until it was tied 23 all. A big block solo by Sana Dennis flipped the momentum and changed the game heading into the third set. STU would take a 2-0 match lead following a Knights set error.
Set two had the Bobcat offense boost up their hit percentage by nearly .300 from set one. The team swung a .326 clip with 19 kills. The defense held Marian to just a .227 hit percentage.
Set three was all Bobcats, they jumped out to a 3-0 lead and never looked back from there. The third set was the Tayla Barnes show as the sophomore had five kills and two blocks in the set.
The scene was set for the final point as anyone and everyone in the Fernandez Family Center Gym felt the emotion that was about to unravel. MacAskill had a kill for point 22, Allende for point 23, then Grassi with the service ace. Upon reception of the side-out, there was only one Bobcat that we knew could secure the final point and send St. Thomas to Iowa. With the ball coming over the net Bertke went straight to the left, found Grassi, who had the perfect set for the fifth-year senior and captain, Amanda Allende. Goosebumps hit when the ball bounced off the defenders hands and out of bounds. The gym top went off as the fans all supported the team and brought the energy all game.
St. Thomas hit another over .300 clip in the final set holding Marian to .128. Marian did not have a single player in double digit kills. Collectively STU had more kills (47-34), assists (44-32), digs (70-55), aces (5-2), and a higher hit percentage (.246-.177).
The Bobcats will now await their pool play assignment that will be determined by Sunday afternoon. Play begin in Sioux City, Iowa on Wednesday, November 29 at the Tyson Events Center.
-STU-
