The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 3, York 0 | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 0, Briar Cliff 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (5-5), York (2-10), Briar Cliff (4-7)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Ashcroft Center)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Volleyball kicked off the Evangel Quad on Friday (Sept. 8) afternoon, hosting KCAC foe York, as well as Briar Cliff, looking to earn a pair of wins.

In the first match of the day, Evangel took care of business, sweeping the Panthers of York, 3-0, and earning their first conference win of the season.

Evangel played a strong first set, scoring 20 points in the set before York could reach double digits. The Panthers were able to put pressure on Evangel, by ending the set on an 8-5 run, but Evangel closed the set out with a Vivianna Sanchez kill and York attacking error to take a 25-17 win in set one.

Set two began competitive, but ended as Evangel's strongest set victory of the day. Leading 12-10, the Valor used a .200 Attacking percentage to go on a 13-3 run to end the set. Bella Wakley and Abi Menzies both recorded several kills during the run and were benefited by several Panthers attacking errors, taking a 25-13 win in set two.

The Valor trailed York for the majority of set three, staying within three points of the Panthers. With York leading 22-19, Evangel came through, not giving up the set and fighting back, using kills by Leah Jackson, Bella Wakley, Abi Menzies, and aces by Kayli Nimmo and Kenna Wise to take a 25-23 win.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bella Wakley finished with a team high 13 kills.

• Leah Jackson led the team with 16 assists in the game.

• Kenna Wise recorded 15 digs in the win.

In game two of the day, Evangel took on Briar Cliff, looking to end day one of the Evangel Quad with a win. After losing last week to Briar Cliff, the Valor looked to bounce back, but a tough game overall by the Valor put EU in a hole as they fell to the Chargers, 3-0. 

Evangel and Briar Cliff played a competitive set one, as both teams traded the lead until the game was tied at 13-13. A 5-2 Briar Cliff run proved to be the difference in the set, as the Chargers took a lead they carried to the end of the set, 25-20.

In set two, it appeared that Evangel was going to push out to a lead and take the set after a Vivianna Sanchez and Mallory Dick kill to take a 18-17 lead in the set. But, Briar Cliff again found a late run, scoring four consecutive points to take a lead they would again not relinquish, winning 25-21 in set two.

Evangel again struggled in set three. The Valor could not generate a solid offensive pace, recording several attacking errors as Briar Cliff continued their strong offensive attack against EU. The Valor never recovered from an early Chargers run, falling 25-14 in set three.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bella Wakley led the team with 10 kills against Briar Cliff.

• Faith Henry recorded two service aces in the loss.

• Kenna Wise recorded 17 digs in the loss.

• Jessica Pritchett recorded 15 assists against the Chargers.

UP NEXT

Evangel concludes the Evangel Quad on Saturday (Sept. 9) morning, taking on William Woods at 11:30 a.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.