The Basics

Score: #6 Evangel 1, #3 Bethel 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (14-14), Bethel (23-9)

Location: Hutchinson, Kan. (Hutchinson Sports Arena)

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Valor Volleyball traveled to Hutchinson, Kansas, on Friday (Nov. 10) afternoon, looking to defeat the three seeded Bethel Threshers and continue to advance in the postseason. Evangel would hang tough with the Threshers squad, but ultimately fall in four sets, 3-1, ending their 2023 season in the conference quarterfinals.

Evangel played a back and forth first set with the Threshers, but fell behind in the middle of the set, 13-7. The Valor continued to fight, using several kills from Bella Wakley, Vivianna Sanchez, and Mallory Dick to trail by just three, 21-18. A 5-0 run by the Valor in set one pushed Evangel ahead, 23-21, but Bethel would fight back, evening the score at 26-26 in the set. Bethel would record the final two points of the set to take a 28-26 win over Evangel in set one.

Both Evangel and Bethel would play a tight set two with Bethel leading for the majority of the set. Leading 20-19, Evangel would generate a 4-0 run to take a 24-19 lead over the Threshers and Simone Johnson would cap off the set for the Valor with a strong kill, tying the game up, 1-1.

Bethel played well offensively in set three, recording 20 points before Evangel could hit double digits. The Valor would not go down without a fight in the set, going on a 6-2 run before the set ended as they fell, 25-17.

In the fourth and final set, Evangel continued to struggle on the attack. A .000 attacking percentage hurt the Valor chances, as Bethel once again was able to score several long runs in the final set. Bella Wakley would record Evangel's final kill as a trio of attacking errors from the Threshers helped Evangel narrow the deficit, but the damage had been done as EU fell, 25-15, ending their 2023 season.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mallory Dick finished with 14 kills in the loss, leading EU.

• Jessica Pritchett led the team in assists, finishing with 22 on Friday.

• Vivianna Sanchez finished with a team high three blocks.

• Bella Wakley led EU with 16 digs.

• Evangel hit .149 compared to Bethel's .232 attacking percentage.

• Evangel ends their season with a .500 record, 14-14.

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