Volleyball Finishes as Runner-ups at Bear Bash Invitational

CLEVELAND, Tenn.- The volleyball team finished their time at the 2025 Labor Day Bear Bash Invitational as the runner-ups after making a run to the championship match. After a day of sweeps, the Lady Bulldogs had to come back from behind in two matches against Brenau University and Truett McConnell University, but fell to Point University in the championship match.

vs. Brenau

Brenau built an early cushion with strong serving and blocking. Tennessee Wesleyan answered with kills from Ella Brannan and Amya Sutton, and Talynn Wheeler added a service ace to narrow the gap. The Bulldogs rallied late, but Brenau held on for the 25-21 win.

The Bulldogs regrouped, leaning on Hunter Ford and Nyah Hudson at the net to slow Brenau's attack. Savannah Jones and Sutton delivered timely kills, while Wheeler helped TWU finish the frame strong. Tennessee Wesleyan edged out the Tigers 25-23 to even the match.

Brenau regained control in the third set, capitalizing on TWU errors to extend its lead. Brannan and Jones kept the Bulldogs within striking distance, but the Tigers closed on a late run to take the set 25-19 and go up 2-1 in the match.

Facing elimination, Tennessee Wesleyan rallied behind Alley Hibdon's precise setting. She connected with Jones, Wheeler, and Hudson for clutch kills down the stretch. The Bulldogs outlasted Brenau in a tight finish, 25-22, to force a decisive fifth set.

The Bulldogs dominated the tiebreaker, surging ahead early behind Bailey Dalton and Sutton at the net. Wheeler and Jones added kills to stretch the lead, and TWU closed the match on a 6-2 run to claim the set 15-8 and complete the comeback victory.

vs. Truett McConnell

The Bulldogs opened strong, building an early lead behind Alley Hibdon's setting and kills from Janie Merritt and Nyah Hudson. Savannah Jones closed the frame with a kill, and Amya Sutton sealed it with another to give TWU the opening set 25-22.

Truett McConnell answered in a tight second set. Despite strong swings from Jones and Sutton, the Bears capitalized on late errors to edge out Tennessee Wesleyan 25-23 and even the match at 1-1.

The Bears carried momentum into the third, using tough serving and net play to frustrate the Bulldogs. Merritt and Hudson tallied points to keep TWU within reach, but Truett McConnell closed strong for the 25-20 win and a 2-1 match lead.

With their backs against the wall, Tennessee Wesleyan responded. Hudson and Jones sparked a rally midway through the set, and Ella Brannan provided key kills down the stretch. The Bulldogs took control late to earn a 25-20 win and force a deciding set.

The Bulldogs wasted no time in the tiebreaker, jumping ahead behind Wheeler's and Hudson's presence at the net. Hibdon kept the offense balanced, and Jones delivered a crucial kill late. TWU closed out the set 15-12 to secure the comeback win.

vs. Point

Point jumped out early with strong play at the net, forcing Tennessee Wesleyan to play from behind. Amya Sutton and Ella Brannan tallied kills to cut into the lead, while Savannah Jones added a late block. The Bulldogs closed the gap but couldn't overcome the early deficit as Point took the opener 25-19.

The second set followed a similar script as Point capitalized on TWU errors to build momentum. Hudson and Wheeler chipped in timely kills to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance, and Hibdon added an offensive spark. Still, Point closed on a 6-2 run to take a 2-0 lead.

Tennessee Wesleyan found its rhythm in the third set. Wheeler powered the offense with multiple kills, and Brannan was effective at the net. Hudson and Sutton added key swings as Hibdon spread the attack. The Bulldogs controlled the frame wire to wire, winning 25-17 to extend the match.

The Bulldogs fought hard to push for a deciding set, but Point regrouped quickly. Despite kills from Jones and Sutton, TWU fell behind midway through and couldn't recover. The Skyhawks closed strong, taking the final frame 25-16 to seal the match.

TWU (6-4) plays their first true road game on Thursday against Welch College. The match is set to begin at 6:00 PM.