The following is the latest installment in the countdown of Top-10 Moments in The Master’s College Athletics for 2013.
5. Mustang Volleyball makes second consecutive appearance at the NAIA National Tournament. Season finished at 23-9 in quarterfinal match.
The Master’s College volleyball team’s 2013 campaign record ended at 23-9 (8-6 GSAC) after falling to the Wayland Baptist Pioneers 3-1 on Friday, December 6. At the end of the season, head coach Bobby Blanken’s collegiate coaching career improved to 87-56, and 7-4 in NAIA postseason play.
Notably, it was the second time in program history that TMC made it to bracket play at the NAIA National Tournament. The squad’s first appearance was last year when the Lady Mustangs advanced from the tournament’s pool play by besting Cal State San Marcos and Indiana Weselyan in one-set tiebreakers. The next day, the Lady Mustangs fell to the Oklahoma Baptist Bison 3-1 in single elimination play, bringing their 2012 record to a close at 27-8 (10-4 GSAC).
This year was an entirely different story as the 16th-ranked Lady Mustangs posted a 3-0 performance in the pool play portion of the tournament, earning a first-round bye in single elimination play.
In the quarterfinal meeting, TMC, which boasted the fourth seed in bracket play, faced the fifth-seeded Pioneers.
Unfortunately, the Lady Mustangs were bested by the Pioneers 3-1.
In her final game as a Mustang, Sam Dougherty concluded her brilliant collegiate career by leading all attackers with 21 kills. Senior libero Rebecca Peluffo closed her time as a Mustang student-athlete with a game-high 29 digs.
2013 in TMC Sports | No. 5: Mustang Volleyball
