The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 3, Ave Maria 0 | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 3, Michigan-Dearborn 2 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (3-1), Ave Maria (2-4), Michigan-Dearborn (2-2)

Location: New Orleans, La. ("The Den")

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Valor Volleyball wrapped up the Wolf Pack Welcome on Saturday (Aug. 26) afternoon, taking on the Ave Maria Gyrenes and the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines. Evangel took care of business in both games, sweeping Ave Maria and taking a five-set thriller over Michigan-Dearborn on Saturday.

The first match of the day saw Evangel sweep the Gyrenes of Ave Maria, 3-0, after they outswung their opponents, hitting .159 to Ave Maria's .111. 

In set one, both teams competed in a back and forth set. Ave Maria opened the game with a 8-4 run, but Evangel would respond and tie the game up at 9-9. Both teams traded points until EU raced out to a 21-16 lead. Ave Maria would not go down without a fight as they tied the game at 23-23. Bella Wakley and Jessica Pritchett ended the set for the Valor, recorded kills to give EU set one, 25-23.

Faith Henry opened set two for the Valor, by hitting three consecutive aces on the Gyrenes, helping EU take an early 10-5 lead. Although Ave Maria would make the set competitive, the Valor never lost their lead, thanks to a strong .256 attacking percentage, taking the win 25-22.

The beginning of set two was similar to set three, as Evangel took an early 10-5 lead. Kills by Mallory Dick, Vivianna Sanchez, and a service ace from Leah Jackson helped EU capture their largest lead of the set, 16-9. Ave Maria would draw to within three points on two occasions, but the Valor diminished any chance of a comeback when Sanchez recorded the game winning kill, 25-21.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bella Wakley finished with a team high 14 kills.

• Leah Jackson led the team with 20 assists in the game.

• EU finished with a .159 attacking percentage, recording 41 kills.

• Faith Henry finished with a team high four aces.

The second match of the day featured Evangel taking on the Michigan-Dearborn. The match between both teams proved to be a thriller, going five sets with Evangel taking the narrow victory, 3-2.

The Valor came out hot in set one, taking a 15-5 lead over the Wolverines. Although EU had a hot start, Michigan-Dearborn used several small runs to draw close to Evangel, eventually tying the set up at 23-23. A kill by Mallory Dick and a miscue by the Wolverines gave EU the first set, 25-23.

In set two, Evangel and Michigan-Dearborn consistently traded points throughout the set. The Valor were able to take the lead at 20-19 on a Wolverine attacking error, but a 5-0 run for Michigan-Dearborn hurt Evangel, as they ultimately fell in the set, 25-22.

Michigan-Dearborn took a 13-7 lead in set three, as the Valor were pushed to the brink of falling in a second consecutive set. Evangel showed resilience, coming together and fighting to even the score at 24-24, just before the Wolverines could take the set. After back and forth points to end the set and with the score tied, 27-27, Mallory Dick locked down the set for EU, giving EU a 29-27 victory in set three, after back-to-back kills.

A pair of big runs from both teams in set four highlighted the set, as the Valor ended up down 24-20. Three Bella Wakley kills and a ace from Jessica Pritchett, tied the score up and forced the set to again go past 25. It appeared Evangel would repeat set three, but the Wolverines put that thought away by recording a pair of kills, forcing a fifth and final set, 26-24.

An 8-5 run for Evangel to open the set proved costly for the Wolverines, as EU was able to maintain their lead and use a Sharayah Seymour kill to claim a hard fought 15-13 victory in set five, taking the win, 3-2.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bella Wakley led the team with 20 kills against Michigan-Dearborn.

• Jessica Pritchett continued to show her serving prowess, hitting four aces.

• Kenna Wise recorded 26 digs in the victory.

• Vivianna Sanchez recorded seven blocks in the five set victory.

UP NEXT

Evangel will hit the road on Friday (Sept. 1) afternoon, taking on Mayville State and Governors State at the CSM Labor Day Classic in North Sioux City, South Dakota.

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.