The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 3, York 0 | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 1, (10) Concordia 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (5-6), York (0-7), (10) Concordia (10-0)

Location: North Sioux City, S.D. (CNOS Fieldhouse)

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. – After splitting day one of the CSM Labor Day Classic with Presentation and (2) Midland, Evangel took on York and (10) Concordia, looking to grab a pair of wins. By the time the final point had been scored, the Valor had come away with another split, defeating York in straight sets, but falling to nationally ranked Concordia in four.

In the first set of game one, the Valor needed time to get their offense rolling. After a back and forth start, York grabbed a 16-12 lead and Evangel was at risk of losing the first set. Kills by Rylie Morrison, Tori Lowry, Bella Wakley, and a service ace by Lowry helped push the Valor offense to a 18-16 lead. With the lead, the Valor were able to continue scoring and keep distance on the scoreboard from York, 25-21. The second set of the match was entirely Evangel. The Valor scored 22 points in the set before York had hit double digits. Sharayah Seymour highlighted the set by nailing three consecutive service aces and EU took the set, 25-12. In the third and final set, Evangel had their offense in full swing as the Panthers struggled to score many points. The Valor forced York into attacking errors and recorded 10 kills of their own, taking the set 25-10.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Seymour and Lowry led Evangel with eight kills apiece in the game.

• Sydney Dunavant led the team with 16 assists in the game.

• Eryn Russell finished with the team lead of 21 digs in game one.

• Seymour finished game one with five service aces.

The Valor took on the Bulldogs of Concordia in game two, looking to break Concordia's unbeaten streak.

Evangel's first set showed how tough of an opponent Concordia is. The Bulldogs had an answer to nearly every Valor attack and recorded 15 kills in the set, claiming the win, 25-15. The Valor displayed a complete reversal of play in the second set. Evangel's attack was strong and the Valor defense was everywhere, overwhelming Concordia. A quick 7-0 run for Evangel was enough of a cushion for EU as they continued to record kill after kill, as well as multiple blocks, claiming a 25-14 victory. The Valor continued to fight hard in the third set, leading the majority of the way. With the score at 21-16 in Evangel's favor, the Valor began to struggle stopping the Bulldog attack. A 9-0 run for Concordia gave the Bulldogs the 25-21 victory in the third set. In the fourth and final set, Concordia grabbed an early lead that Evangel could not overcome. A 6-0 run in the beginning of the set proved detrimental for EU as they fell, 25-15. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Lowry led Evangel with 15 kills.

• Russell recorded her season high of 26 digs in the loss.

• Dunavant and Leah Jackson both performed well at setter, finishing with 22 and 21 assists apiece.

UP NEXT

Evangel will begin conference play next Tuesday (Sept. 6) when they take on (15) Central Methodist in Fayette, Mo., at 7:00 p.m.

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—