The Basics
Score: Evangel 2, Avila 3
Records: Evangel (3-8, 0-1 Heart); Avila (3-6, 1-1 Heart)
Location: Kansas City, Mo. – Mabee Fieldhouse

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A back and forth match Tuesday night saw the Evangel volleyball team come up short in a 3-2 loss at Avila in Heart of America Athletic Conference action.

The Crusaders and Eagles traded points throughout the match with Evangel pulling even at a 28-26 first set from Avila and a 25-19 second set for the Crusaders. Avila took the third set 25-23 before Evangel evened the match again with a 25-17 fourth set. The Eagles held off the Crusaders for a 15-6 deciding set and match victory.

Olivia Johnston led the way for Evangel with 17 kills and a .294 hitting percentage as she also earned a double-double. Johnston finished with 16 digs on the defensive side of the net as Jorden Stacey paced the Crusaders with 27 digs.

Heather Gahm added nine kills and a .462 hitting percentage as the Crusaders hit .341 as team and Avila hit .282. However, A solid defensive effort with 13 blocks by the Eagles helped hold off Evangel.

Laurel Dehn led all players with 19 kills and a .593 hitting percentage as she added six blocks for the Eagles.

UP NEXT
Evangel will play its first matches of the season at home Friday and Saturday as part of the 2017 Evangel Crusader Classic. Action for the Crusaders starts Friday at 3 p.m. against Oklahoma Wesleyan followed by a 7 p.m. match against Bellevue. Other tournament participants include Tabor, John Brown, Peru State, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and College of the Ozarks.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelAthletics or go to www.EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the Go Evangel Front Row App at EvangelAthletics.com/FrontRow available on Google Play and in the App Store.

---www.EvangelAthletics.com---