The Basics

Score: (RV) Evangel 2, Ottawa 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (20-5, 7-3), Ottawa (13-11, 7-3) 

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Volleyball took on the Ottawa Braves on Wednesday (Oct. 30) evening, looking to take a win against a strong Braves squad and distance themselves in the conference standings. Despite winning the first set, the Valor could not take the second or third sets, ultimately falling in a five-set thriller, 2-3.

Evangel and Ottawa played a tightly contested start to set one, but a pair of kills from Loran Pritchett accompanied by attacking errors helped Evangel jump out to a 11-5 lead. The Braves were able to fight back and narrow their deficit against EU, but again, a run from Sharayah Seymour, Loran Pritchett, Jessica Pritchett, and a block from Vivianna Sanchez and Loran helped EU jump up to a 23-15 lead, capped off from a Pritchett to Pritchett sister connection, 25-17.

The Valor struggled in set two, hitting .019 to Ottawa's .244. With the Valor trailing by just two points, 10-12, a 9-2 run by Ottawa hurt Evangel's chances in the set, with several of the Braves points coming on attacking errors from Evangel's offense. The Valor dropped set two, 25-14.

Both teams went point for point throughout nearly the entirety of set three. Trailing 18-19, a 3-0 run for Evangel put the Valor ahead 21-19 and although it appeared Evangel may keep momentum and their run going, Ottawa generated a trio of kills and took advantage of a trio of attacking errors to end the set on a 6-0 run, forcing EU to fall, 21-25.

With their backs against the wall, Evangel fought tooth and nail to stay in Wednesday's game. The Valor held a small two point lead over Ottawa for the majority of the fourth set and unlike the earlier sets, were able to push past Ottawa and generate a late run. Kills from Vivianna Sanchez and Bella Wakley, paired with a service ace by Jessica Pritchett to end the set gave EU a 25-17 win in set four, forcing a fifth and final set.

In the race to 15 points, Evangel was slow to get out of their blocks. Ottawa jumped out to a 2-9 lead over the Valor and it appeared all was lost. But, the Valor offense remained resilient, fighting to the finish against the strong Ottawa team. Loran Pritchett and Sharayah Seymour both recorded kills and EU began trading pairs of points for just one Ottawa point. Trailing 7-13, a service ace from Meredith Avery and a Deryan Simpson kill with an OU error made it 10-13. Ottawa did score their 14th point, but again a service error and block by Sharayah Seymour and Loran Pritchett made it a 12-14 game. Needing to score another pair of points to keep the set alive, Ottawa found their opportunity to close out the game, driving a ball into the floor to get the final kill, as EU came up just short of a come from behind victory, 12-15.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Loran Pritchett had an exceptional game, leading Evangel with 26 kills, a career high.

• Jessica Pritchett led the team with 45 assists.

• Kenna Wise had an strong defensive showing on Wednesday, finishing with 43 digs.

• Sharayah Seymour finished with five blocks to lead the Valor defensive charge.

UP NEXT

Evangel hits the road on Saturday (Nov. 2) afternoon, taking on the York Panthers in York, Neb., at 2:00 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.