The Basics

Score: Evangel 1, (20) Central Methodist 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (17-14, 10-8), Central Methodist (19-7, 12-6)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Ashcroft Center)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – On a night where Valor Volleyball seniors were honored, Evangel hosted the 20th ranked Central Methodist Eagles. Looking to avenge their previous loss to CMU this season, Evangel came up just short of the mark, falling in four sets, 3-1.

Set one was a battle between both teams as Evangel and Central Methodist went point for point with each other until a CMU attacking error, service ace by Ashlyn McCanless, and block by Tori Lowry and Vivianna Sanchez gave EU a slight lead, 20-16. Although it appeared the momentum sat with Evangel, CMU racked off a quick run and evened the score at 23 points a piece and the Valor had no answer as the Eagles would stay hot, claiming the set, 25-23.

Evangel found themselves in an early hole in set two and were never fully able to recover. After an initial 7-2 run, the Valor were only able to cut the margin back down to three at one point on a CMU attacking error, as they fell short, 25-19, hitting their lowest attacking percentage of the night with a .049.

With their backs against the wall, Evangel fought tooth and nail in set three. A solid Valor attack coupled with excellent defense at the net pushed EU out to a 7-3 lead to begin the set. CMU was able to fight back to keep the set competitive, but a pair of 3-0 runs near the end of the set proved fatal for the Eagles comeback chances in the set, as the Valor took a 25-18 win on a Sharayah Seymour and Rylie Morrison block.

Momentum had swung back in favor of the Valor after their strong third set and Evangel found themselves up 10-5 after several kills and a service ace from Leah Jackson. The Eagles were beginning to find themselves in a deficit, but were able to climb back. The nationally ranked team evened the score at 15 points a piece and then rattled off a 7-1 run to take a 22-16 lead and virtually destroy any chance Evangel had at forcing a fifth and final set. Morrison, Seymour, and Lowry all were able to record kills to try to fuel a comeback, but the damage had been done as the Eagles claimed a 25-20 victory.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Lowry led Evangel with 14 kills in her final regular season game in the Ashcroft.

• Evangel was out blocked 13-7 in the loss.

• Eryn Russell and Lowry added a team high 23 digs in the 3-1 loss.

• Leah Jackson led the team with 24 assists for the Valor.

• Seniors Ashlyn McCanless and Sydney Dunavant recorded services aces in the loss, as well as Jackson.

• Dunavant finished with a double-double of 23 assists and 16 digs.

UP NEXT

Evangel will take on Culver-Stockton for their regular season finale on Tuesday (Nov. 1) evening at 7:00 p.m. in Canton, Mo.

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—