The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 3, Huston-Tillotson 0 | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 2, Our Lady of the Lake 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (1-1), Huston-Tillotson (0-2), Our Lady of the Lake (1-0)

Location: San Antonio, Texas (OLLU Gymnasium)

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Valor Volleyball kicked off their season in Texas at the Alamo City Vollyesta on Friday, taking on the Rams of Huston-Tillotson and the Saints of Our Lady of the Lake.

The first match of the day saw Evangel sweep the Rams of Huston-Tillotson, 3-0, after a strong offensive showing for the Valor.

Evangel used a .474 attacking percentage in the first set to power past HTU, 25-10. Tori Lowry played well in the beginning set, scoring or assisting on seven points for Evangel. The second set saw Evangel slow on offense as HTU picked up their pace. Leading 12-10, EU used a 5-0 run to push out to a 17-10 lead and ultimately take the set, 25-14. In the final set of the game, the Rams played their strongest set of the afternoon, leading the Valor for the majority of the set. A strong serving performance by Lowry that consisted of two straight aces gave EU a lead that they did not relinquish, taking the three-set victory, 25-22.

HIGHLIGHTS (GAME ONE)

• Rylie Morrison finished with a team high 10 kills on 16 attempts.

• Leah Jackson led the team with 9 assists in the game.

• EU finished with a .244 attacking percentage, recording 37 kills.

• Bella Wakley added a match-high of 10 digs.

The second match of the day featured Evangel taking on the host school, Our Lady of the Lake. The first set of the match determined the pace and outcome of the game, as the Valor came up just short in a five set slugfest.

The Saints and Valor played a thrilling first set, with neither team pushing out to a big lead. OLLU used two 4-0 runs to grab a lead, but EU fought hard, keeping the game within a single point. With the score knotted at 27 points apiece, OLLU used a 2-0 run to win the first set, 27-29. Evangel bounced back in a big way after the tough first set by blowing past the Saints, 25-13, in the second set. In the third set, the Valor continued to attack well and capitalize on the Saints miscues, taking the set, 25-19. OLLU responded in the fourth set after EU grabbed an early lead. The Saints used a 6-0 run to grab a lead they did not relinquish, taking the win, 22-25. In the decisive fifth set, Evangel fell behind by a pair of points and OLLU grabbed momentum, claiming the final set by a score of 10-15.

HIGHLIGHTS (GAME 2)

• EU hit 0.206 to OLLU's .104, but the Valor committed two additional attacking errors and four additional reception errors.

• Lowry had a double-double of 19 kills and 17 digs, leading the team in both statistical categories.

• Ciera Reyes and Morrison also finished with double digit kills with 13 and 11, respectively.

• Jackson finished with 23 assists, a team high, followed by Sydney Dunavant who recorded 21.

UP NEXT

Evangel will conclude the Alamo City Vollyesta with a match against (RV) Texas Wesleyan at 12:00 p.m. tomorrow in San Antonio, Texas.

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—