Broncos Win Fifth Straight, Sweep MTSU
The Broncos recorded relatively easy first- and third-set wins, but the second set required an incredible comeback, as WMU rallied from a seven-point deficit midway through the set to take the wind from the Blue Raiders' sails. Trailing 10-3 in the set, the Broncos traded points with the Blue Raiders, and MTSU looked to be in control after Chelsea Ross's kill made the score 19-13.
However, Richelle Ranney would record kills on consecutive points to get the Broncos back on track, sparking a run that would put the Broncos back in contention for the set. After Jessica Brown recorded a tip kill to cut the Blue Raiders' lead to 23-21, Ali Gossen pulled the Broncos to within one point with a service ace, and an MTSU attack error would tie the score at 23-23. Brown would notch a kill on the next point to give the Broncos their first lead of the set.
The teams traded points back and forth, with the Broncos getting the upper hand at 30-29 when Gillian Asque scored a kill to make it set point. Gossen would be the hero of the set with a roller over the hands of the blockers, giving the Broncos an improbably 31-29 set win and a 2-0 set advantage.
Gossen would finish with a match-high 14 kills and hit .393, while Ranney would break double figures with 10 kills and a .600 hitting percentage. Norris finished with 39 assists and an attack line of 6-1-7 for a .714 hitting percentage, and also contributed seven digs.
WMU would stand tall after the dramatic second set, beginning on a 6-2 run that was wrapped up with Brown's kill from the middle. MTSU would pull to within two points at 12-10, but the Broncos scored six of the next seven points to take an 18-11 lead and force an MTSU timeout. Richelle Ranney would get the Broncos on track with a solo block to make it 20-12, and Norris would tip to the back left corner to give WMU a nine-point lead at 22-13. Ranney would clinch the win for the Broncos with her 10th kill of the night, pounding one in the middle for the kill.
The Broncos opened the match on fire in the first set, jumping out to a big lead on the Blue Raiders and holding on for the win. The Broncos opened on an 11-5 run that was capped by kills from Brown and Ranney, and the lead reached double figures when Carlee Berland went cross court for a kill that made it 17-6. The Broncos built their biggest lead of the evening when Gossen ripped a kill to make it 20-8, and Brown wrapped made it set point with a tip kill at 24-12. The Broncos wrapped the set victory when Brown recorded a cross-court kill to make it 25-13.
The Broncos will be back in action on Saturday, September 8, when they face North Carolina at 12 p.m. and LSU at 5:30 p.m.
