The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 0, (3) Bellevue 3 | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 3, John Brown 2 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (2-3), (3) Bellevue (3-2), John Brown (1-1)

Location: Columbia, Mo. (Southwell Complex)

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Valor Volleyball hit the road to compete in the Hampton Inn Classic, hosted by Columbia College on Friday afternoon. 

The first match of the day featured the Valor going up against the Bruins of Bellevue, who are currently the third ranked team in the nation.

In the first set, the Valor recorded their highest attacking percentage of the game, but struggled to slow the Bellevue attack, resulting in a 25-15 loss. Bellevue demonstrated tough defense at the net as Evangel began to slow down offensively in the second set, falling 25-18. In the final set, Evangel hurt themselves with a negative attacking percentage as the Bruins continued to slow Evangel's offense, giving Bellevue the three set victory, 25-17.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tori Lowry finished the game with a team high seven kills.

• Sydney Dunavant led the team with 10 assists in the game.

• Eryn Russell added a match-high of 15 digs.

• Bellevue finished the matchup with 12 total blocks.

The second match of the day featured Evangel taking on the Golden Eagles of John Brown. Both teams fought hard, giving the fans a thrilling five-set battle that Evangel ultimately won, 3-2.

In the first set, both Evangel and John Brown struggled with service, combining for 11 service errors in the set. Ultimately, this aided the Golden Eagles path to victory in the first set, as they claimed a narrow 25-23 win. The Valor stepped up their offensive attack in the second set, using a .370 attacking percentage to claim a set victory, 25-14, thanks to five kills by Lowry. Although John Brown picked up their offense in the third set, so did Evangel. Using a season high .455 attacking percentage, the Valor recorded 19 kills in the third alone, taking a 2-1 lead in the match. With Evangel leading 17-13 in the fourth set, John Brown fought to keep the game alive, going on a 12-4 run to end the set and force a decisive game 5. Both teams went point for point in the crucial game and with an Evangel 11-10 lead, Dunavant nailed a pair of service aces to provide breathing room for the Valor and ultimately guide Evangel to a 15-12 victory, capped off by an Abi Menzies kill.

HIGHLIGHTS

• EU finished the game with a .310 attacking percentage, their highest of the season thus far.

• Lowry had a double-double of 22 kills and 11 digs.

• Both Sharayah Seymour and Dunavant finished their evenings with three service aces.

• Russell led the Valor with 17 digs in the victory.

• Leah Jackson led Evangel with a career high of 26 assists.

• Ciera Reyes and Menzies finished their evenings with double digit kills, 13 and 14, respectively.

UP NEXT

Evangel will conclude the Hampton Inn Classic with matches against Tabor and (1) Missouri Baptist beginning at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow in Columbia, 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—