Evangel stat leaders:
Kills: Haley Watson - 11
Blocks: Morgan Kensinger - 9
Assists: Chloe Hadley - 23
Digs: Morgan Smith – 19 

Wayland Baptist stat leaders:
Kills: Shahala Hawkins - 11
Blocks: Katie Inman - 4
Assists: Ashlyn Westerman - 36
Digs: Emily Welch – 19

Plainview, Texas-- Evangel defeated #20 Wayland Baptist (Tex.) in the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament with a 3-0 win (25-20, 25-22, 25-22).

The Crusaders opened the first match with a Chloe Hadley ace and the two teams traded points until three straight Evangel block-kills put the Crusaders up by two.  Evangel pulled away to win the first set 25-20 finishing on a 5-1 run.  Evangel had six block kills in the set.

The two teams played point for point for most of the second set until Evangel pulled away late finishing the set with a Micah Guiot kill for a 25-22 second set win and put Evangel up 2-0.  Wayland Baptist had a .078 kill percentage in the second set.  The Crusaders hit .140 in the set and recorded four team blocks.

The third set was all Wayland Baptist for much of the first half.  The Pioneers went up 16-10 when Crusaders head coach Mary Whitehead called a time out and from there Evangel went on a 15-6 run finishing with another Micah Guiot kill.  Evangel hit .244 in the set while Wayland Baptist hit .149.

Mountain Grove junior Haley Watson led Evangel with 11 kills and Ozark sophomore Jackie Fugate added 10.  Sophomore middle block Morgan Kensinger had a game high nine blocks.  The Pioneers Shahala Hawkins led Wayland Baptist with 11 kills.

The win marks the first time Evangel has advanced to the final site in NAIA National Championships.  The Crusaders will find out what pool they will play in on Sunday, November 23^rd.  Pool play will be December 2^nd-4^thand the top two teams from each of the six pools will advance to single elimination bracket to be played on December 5^th and 6^th.

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