THE BASICS

Match 1

Score: Evangel 3 – Tennessee Wesleyan 1 (26-28, 25-19, 25-10, 25-13)

Records: Evangel (1-0); TWU (0-1)

Match 2

Score: Evangel 2 – Our Lady of the Lake 3 (27-25, 17-25, 25-22, 19-25, 15-7)

Records: Evangel (1-1); OLLU (2-0)

Location: Mabee Gymnasium – San Antonio, Texas

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Evangel University volleyball team split its season opening matches Friday knocking off Tennessee Wesleyan, 3-1, before falling to Our Lady of the Lake, 3-2, at the OLLU Saints Invitational. 

The Crusaders raced out to an impressive win against TWU, converting 50 assists on 53 kills. A great team effort also saw Evangel finish with a solid defensive effort, posting 15 blocks and 65 digs. 

In the night cap, Evangel was edged by Our Lady of the Lake in a rematch of last year's NAIA Opening Round victory for the Crusaders. EU was better than the Saints in nearly every category except in the fifth and final set, as OLLU finished with a .412 hitting percentage and the Crusaders posted a -.048 mark. 

Morgan Kensinger started the tournament with 13 and 15 kills respectively, while setters, Jorden Stacey and Brianna Justis, tallied 20 or more assists in each match. Stacey and Justis also posted double-doubles in the nightcap adding 16 and 15 digs each to their stat line.

THE LEADERS

Evangel: Morgan Kensinger posted 13 and 15 kills respectively in Friday's matches. She also added nine total blocks on the day. Jorden Stacey tallied a double-double in the day's final match with 25 assists and 16 digs, while teammate Brianna Justis also had 22 assists and 15 digs.

Tennessee Wesleyan: Tia Madden finished with 31 assists and five kills.

Our Lady of the Lake: Audrey Contreras posted a double-double with 28 assists and 17 digs.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (TWU)

- Evangel posted a .375 hitting percentage while holding TWU to just .075 offensively.

- The Crusaders recorded 15 blocks on defense and finished with 65 digs.

- Evangel out-hit TWU in every set including the third and fourth where they posted hitting percentages over the .500 mark.

- Jorden Stacey and Brianna Justis each tallied 20 or more assists in the win.

- Morgan Kensinger posted 13 kills and hit .619 and added four blocks while Jorie Garrett also finished with 13 kills.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Our Lady of the Lake)

- Four Crusaders posted double-figure kills led by 15 from Morgan Kensinger and 15 from Jackie Fugate.

- Jorden Stacey and Brianna Justis posted double-doubles with 25 assists and 16 digs for Stacey, while Justis finished with 22 assists and 15 digs.

- Evangel out-hit OLLU in every set but the fifth and deciding set.

- The Crusaders were again impressive on defense with 91 team digs and 21 team blocks.

UP NEXT

Evangel wraps up action in Texas against Wayland Baptist at 9 a.m. and close out action at 11 a.m. against Xavier.

For the latest information on Evangel athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/EvangelAthletics or got to www.EvangelAthletics.com.

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