GBCVB spent their afternoon bonding as a team while exploring God's creation at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, TN. The evening brought about Grace's first game of the weekend at The Crown College.

Despite a rocky start the tiger's demonstrated grit by rallying late in the game to clinch a win with a score of 25-22. The Tigers continued to improve into the next set claiming their second victory of the match, 25-18.

The third was more of the same as the win hungry tigers closed the third set and match with a commanding 25-14 win over the Royal Crusaders. Highlights from the match include Anna Veldink serving six aces, and snagging eighteen digs.

Both Adrianna Bunce and Alli Kortman lead the team with 100% serving percentage. Bunce also led the team in kills, which among other contributions to the night's win, earned her the game ball.

The Tigers started Saturday's match play against the 2014's NCCAA National Champions of Kentucky Christian University. GBCVB showed no signs of timidity and came out swinging. Despite dropping the first set 11-25, Grace rallied together, adapted their approach and battled back to win the second set 25-23. Entering the third set with one win a piece, both teams fought for the advantage. Although GBC performed well, it just wasn't quite enough as the Crusaders edged out the Tigers winning 20-25. With energy low, the Tigers dropped the final set with a disappointing spread of 6-25. 

"It's always a great opportunity to compete against a team of National Champion caliber," said Head Coach Becky Karsten. "We are proud of the attitudes and effort we saw during the game and will take what we learned forward into the rest of our season.  We look forward to facing KCU again soon."Amy Leszinske and Adrianna Bunce led the team in both kills and digs along with GBCVB's libero, Anna Veldink.

In the second match of the day, the Tigers took on the Royals of host school Johnson University. Grace took the first two sets with scores of 25-21, and 25-17. After dropping the third set 20-25, the Tigers buckled down and made quick work of the fourth and final set outscoring the Royals 25-16.

Leszinske and Bunce once again led the team in kills while setter Abby Schultz collected 26 assists on the match.

Saturday's gameball (GBCVB tradition) was awarded to outside hitter Amy Leszinske for her high kill count, extreme leadership on the court and her ability to adapt defensively.

The Tiger's broke the long drive home into two days which allowed them the special opportunity to spend Sunday morning in worship together on the bus. Seniors Allyssa Thompson and Ka Bao Xiong led the team in praise and worship followed by a challenge using Psalm 139: "even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."

Another huge shout out to the many family members and friends that made the long trip to support us!

Up next for the Tigers is a match against fellow Mid-West region school, Great Lakes Christian on 9/17 followed by GBCVB's first home match of the seasonon Saturday 9/19. Go Tigers!