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Highlights | The Pioneers survived an ugly 5-set match vs. #23 Bellevue to advance to bracket play at the NAIA Volleyball National Championship on Thursday. This marks the first time in program history that the Pioneers advanced past pool play.
MNU won the first two sets 25-20 and 25-21, but never had much of an offensive rhythm. The Bruins fought back hard and took control of the 3rd set to win 25-17, then throttled the Pioneers in the 4th set 25-14 to force the 5th and deciding set.
MNU took an early 5-1 lead but gave it right back as Bellevue went on an 11-5 run to take a 12-10 lead. MNU fought back to tie the set at 12, and after Bellevue recorded a kill to take the lead, MNU won the next 3 points to win the set and the match.
Linjun Ji had a match-high 14 kills to go along with 14 digs.
Molly Brewster had 13 kills and 7 digs.
Vladi Kopanarova had 13 kills and 4 blocks.
Megan Hayes had 10 kills and 4 blocks.
Luka Gomes had 7 kills and 6 blocks, including the match-ender.
Becca Valdez recorded 15 digs. And
Taryn Salum had 40 assists, 8 digs, and 5 blocks.
The Pioneers are 28-4. The next match is at 10am on Friday vs. #14 College of Idaho (24-7).
