Sioux City, Iowa – Evangel fell to fifth ranked Biola (Calif.) 3-0 on Wednesday in the NAIA Volleyball National Championship in Sioux City, Iowa. The Crusaders fell to 1-1 in the round-robin event and still have a chance to advance to the next round with a win tomorrow in a 1 p.m. against #23 Madonna (Mich.).

Biola controlled the opening set scoring the first six points of the match. Evangel could only get within six points of the lead before the Eagles closed out the first set winning 25-12.

Evangel trailed in the second set 15-12 but Biola scored 10 of the next 14 points to win the second set 25-16.

The Crusaders had an early lead in the third, 6-3, but the Eagles took control again with a 10-3 run that put them in front 13-9. Biola closed out the match winning the set 25-15.

Micah Guiot led Evangel with six kills while Joclyn Kirton had 15 kills for Biola.

Evangel dropped to 39-6 and 1-1 in Pool E of the national tournament. Biola improved to 25-3 and 2-0 in the tournament.

The Crusaders play their third round-robin game Thursday at 1 p.m. against Madonna (Mich.). An Evangel win will advance the Crusaders to the 12-team, single elimination round that starts Friday at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.