The Basics

Score: Evangel 1, #6 Oklahoma Wesleyan 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (18-3, 5-1), Oklahoma Wesleyan (22-1, 7-0) 

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – After defeating Bethel at home on Saturday, Valor Volleyball took on nationally ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan to conclude their homestand, looking to pull off a big upset win. Evangel would fight and even the score at one set apiece, but ultimately did not have enough firepower to keep up with OKWU, falling 3-1.

Evangel struggled to open set one, having a few calls that ultimately went against the Valor, hurting momentum in the set. Trailing 10-6, Oklahoma Wesleyan went on a 9-1 run to take a 19-7 lead over Evangel. The Valor fought back, getting kills from Bella Wakley and blocks from the Valor defense, but fell 25-14 in set one.

Evangel put forth their strongest effort in set two, recording several blocks from Sharayah Seymour to push EU out to a 7-4 lead. A 7-0 Valor run helped Evangel push out to a 14-6 lead in the set, but the Eagles did fight back, roaring back to trail by just one point, 23-22. Deryan Simpson and Vivianna Sanchez both recorded kills to close out the set for Evangel, giving the Valor a 25-22 win in the second set.

Oklahoma Wesleyan responded in set three by jumping out to a 6-0 lead over the Valor. Evangel fought to attempt a comeback in the set, coming within six points of the Eagles, but could not work all the way back, as they fell, 25-17, in the third set.

In set four, the Valor needed to work and be nearly flawless to attempt a comeback against the Eagles. Evangel's defense, especially at the net, played well the entire evening, including the fourth set, but ultimately the Valor could not limit their mistakes and record enough kills, falling 25-16, in the fourth and final set.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bella Wakley recorded 12 kills in the loss on Wednesday to lead the Valor.

• Jessica Pritchett led the team with 18 assists on Wednesday.

• Kenna Wise and Bella Wakley led the team with 14 digs.

• Vivianna Sanchez had a career performance at the net, finishing with 12 blocks in the loss.

• Evangel fell in just their third game of the season, but took a set against the Eagles squad who hadn't lost one since late September.

UP NEXT

Evangel hits the road to take on #20 McPherson in McPherson, Kansas, on Saturday (Oct. 19) evening at 6:00 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.