The Basics

Score: Evangel 3, Mount Mercy 0 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (15-13, 8-7), Mount Mercy (17-8, 10-7)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Ashcroft Center)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – After a two game road trip that saw the Valor fall to two nationally ranked teams, Valor Volleyball knew they needed to come out with a dominant performance to right the ship as they neared the end of the regular season. On Friday night, Evangel took on Mount Mercy, currently the conference wins leader in the Heart North. The Valor came out quick and with an excellent offensive attack, pushing past the Mustangs in a dominant 3-0 sweep.

The first set was a battle as the Valor and Mustangs played in a fairly competitive set. Evangel used a 9-2 run in the middle of the set to take a 19-14 lead, but struggled to end the set. The Valor allowed the Mustangs to go on a run, putting Mount Mercy in prime position to take the set. MMU claimed the 25th point first, but only led by a single point. On three separate occasions, the Mustangs had a chance to put the set away, but the grit and determination from Evangel kept the ladies alive in the set. After tying the set up at 27 points apiece, a Mount Mercy attacking error coupled with a Sharayah Seymour and Rylie Morrison block solidified the win in favor of the Valor, 29-27.

Set two favored the Valor as the momentum from the set one win showed. The Valor were able to get out to a slight 14-10 lead and then used a 8-1 run that consisted of kills by Ciera Reyes, Bella Wakley, and Sydney Dunavant, to extend their lead. Evangel cruised to the finish in set two, claiming a 25-16 win.

In Evangel's final set, it would be Mount Mercy who put pressure on Evangel. After the Valor got out to an early lead, Mount Mercy responded and were able to tie the game up at 12 points apiece. A EU timeout proved crucial for the Valor, stopping the Mustang run and allowing the Valor to reset. Evangel responded with a 5-1 run that helped push them to a finish, claiming the final set and sweep on an Abi Menzies kill from Leah Jackson, 25-19.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Reyes finished with nine kills to lead the Valor offense.

• Evangel finished with nine total blocks, six of which came from Morrison who had an excellent game at the net.

• Eryn Russell added 15 digs to her career record, leading Evangel in the category.

• Jackson finished with 21 assists for the Valor, leading the team.

UP NEXT

Evangel will take on Clarke tomorrow (Oct. 22) afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in the Ashcroft Center.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, Twitter (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.  

—#OneValor—