The Basics

Score: Evangel 2, Bethel 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (8-10, 4-2), Bethel (17-7, 6-0)

Location: North Newton, Kan. (Thresher Gym)

NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – Valor Volleyball traveled to North Newton, Kansas, on Saturday, looking to defeat the Threshers who were undefeated in conference play. Despite taking a 2-1 lead over Bethel, the Threshers won sets four and five, as EU fell in a close battle, 3-2.

Evangel struggled on the attack in set one, hitting -.022 in the set. Bethel took an early lead in the set, scoring 16 points before the Valor hit double digits. Despite several small runs where the Valor were able to tie the game up at 23-23, Bethel scored the final two points of the set to take a 25-23 win in set one.

The Valor offense came alive in set two, using several kills to take a lead. After the beginning of the set went point for point, Evangel used a crucial 6-2 run to take a 20-16 lead over the Threshers. Abi Menzies and Sharayah Seymour pushed the Valor to end the set, recording several kills to push EU to a 25-20 win in set two.

A dominant offensive performance in set three helped Evangel capture a 2-1 lead in the match. Evangel hit .310 to Bethel's .189, as the Valor recorded 17 kills to four errors in the set. Despite Bethel taking an early lead in the set, Evangel used a timeout to stop the Threshers run. Several Bethel attacking errors, followed by a trio of kills from Mallory Dick pushed Evangel to a 19-17 lead. A trio of kills from Sharayah Seymour pushed the set out of reach for Bethel as EU took a 25-20 win in set three.

Despite Evangel staying close with Bethel in set four, the Threshers used a late run in the set to take set four, 25-19. With a block by Mackenzie Stoner and Sharayah Seymour bringing Evangel to within a single point, 20-19, BC went on a 5-0 run to end the set, forcing a fifth and final set.

In Evangel's second fifth set of the week, the Valor came out slow in the race to 15 points. Trailing 13-4, the Valor would need another improbable run similar to the one on Wednesday to mount a comeback. Although Evangel would go on a 4-0 run, the Valor could not stop the Threshers from scoring two points, as two EU attacking errors ended the game, 15-9.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sharayah Seymour led the Valor on offense, finishing with 14 kills.

• Leah Jackson led the team in assists, finishing with 27 in the loss.

• Seymour also recorded a team high seven blocks.

• Kenna Wise led EU with 29 digs in the 3-2 loss

• Evangel hit .129 to Bethel's .165.

UP NEXT

Evangel remains on the road, taking on the (RV) Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles on Wednesday (Oct. 11) evening at 6:00 p.m. in Bartlesville, Okla.

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.