The Basics

Score: Evangel 2, Benedictine 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (11-10, 4-3), Benedictine (13-5, 7-2)

Location: Atchison, Kan. (Ralph Nolan Gymnasium)

ATCHISON, Kan. – After a short break from conference play, Evangel traveled to Atchison to take on the Ravens of Benedictine. Evangel and Benedictine put up a great fight on Friday night with Benedictine slightly edging out the Valor in a five-set thriller, 3-2.

The Valor got off to a slow start on Friday, dropping the first five points of the set, but a Ciera Reyes kill got the Valor on the scoreboard. A consistent attack by Evangel gave the Valor a lead, but with the game tied at 23 points a piece, Benedictine fought to score two before Evangel could push a point across, allowing the Ravens to narrowly escape the first set with a win. The Valor offense grew strong in the second set as EU was able to grab an early lead. Both teams exchanged points in back and forth runs, but this set ended with Evangel on top, not allowing a late Raven comeback. The third set proved to be vital for both squads. Each team knew the importance of winning the third set and fought past the needed 25 points to claim the set. The Ravens fought through the set and came out with the third set victory after scoring consecutive points to end the game.

In the fourth set, Evangel needed to win to stay alive in the game. The Valor once again took a lead in the set, but similar to the second set, maintained it and did not allow the Ravens to come back as they did in the first and third sets, giving Evangel a 25-17 win, as the Valor used a game high .370 attacking percentage to guide them to the finish. In the decisive game winning set, Evangel got out to an early 8-5 lead. The trend of the game unfortunately continued for the Valor as Benedictine was able to find a run to grab a late lead, one Evangel was unable to overcome in the end, 15-13.  

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sydney Dunavant recorded her 1000th career assist in the loss, finishing her night with 26 assists.

• Reyes led all attackers with 15 kills in the game.

• Leah Jackson led the team with 35 assists in the game, her career high.

• Eryn Russell finished with the team lead of 28 digs in the loss.

UP NEXT

Evangel will travel to Baldwin City, Kan., to take on the Wildcats of Baker next Tuesday (Oct. 4) 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—