The Basics
Game 1: Evangel 3, College of the Ozarks 0 | Box Score
Game 2: Evangel 3, Mid-America Christian 0 | Box Score
Record: Evangel (4-0), College of the Ozarks (0-1), Mid-America Christian (2-2)
Location: Point Lookout, Mo. (Keeter Gymnasium)
POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – Valor Volleyball hit the road on Friday (Aug. 30) morning, looking to earn a pair of wins at the C of O Fall Classic.
The first match of the day saw Evangel take on the host school, College of the Ozarks. After earning a close first set, the Valor used a big comeback in set two, earning a win after trailing 15-22. With momentum behind them, the Valor cruised to victory in set three, 25-17.
The Bobcats led early in set one, but Evangel found a rhythm behind Loran Pritchett, who helped EU grab a lead midway through the set. Although the Valor had as much as a five point lead over CofO, the Bobcats continued to fight, tying the game up at 21-21. A 4-0 run by Evangel after a timeout proved to be the difference, as kills from Pritchett and Sharayah Seymour, accompanied by a block from Vivianna Sanchez and Deryan Simpson gave the Valor a 25-21 win in set one.
Evangel and CofO played a tight beginning of set two, with neither team grabbing much of a lead. Halfway through the set, with the Valor leading 11-9, the Bobcats generated a 13-4 run to take a 22-15 lead over EU. Strong all-around team play helped Evangel begin a run and ultimately tie the game up at 23-23. A point from the Bobcats put them just a point away from capturing the set, but a kill from Seymour and from libero Kenna Wise followed by a service ace from Meredith Avery gave the Valor the huge come from behind win in the second set, 26-24.
After the huge second set win, the wind had been taken from the sails of the Bobcats, as Evangel hit a game high .256 attacking percentage in the final set to take a 25-17 victory, sweeping the rival Bobcats in straight sets.
HIGHLIGHTS
The final match of the day featured Evangel taking on Mid-America Christian.Â
Evangel and MACU played a very competitive beginning of the first set, as neither team could pull away from another. Leading 14-12, a mini 3-0 run that consisted of kills from Bella Wakley and Deryan Simpson, as well as a block from Sharayah Seymour and Loran Pritchett, gave EU a 17-12 lead. MACU came as close as 20-18, but strong serving and a pair of kills from Bella Wakley gave EU a 25-20 win in set one.
In set two, both teams were tied 6-6, early in the set. An 11-3 run for the Valor helped EU push out to a 17-10 lead, as it appeared Evangel may run away with the set. MACU did not back down, going on a 11-3 run to retake the lead, 21-20, over the Valor. Something in that moment sparked for Evangel, as Seymour and Pritchett both recorded kills and a pair of attacking errors hurt the Evangels chances, as EU took set two, 25-21, on the back of a 5-0 run to end the set.
The Valor dominated the final set, racing out to a 9-1 lead in the set. Several blocks from Vivianna Sanchez kept MACU off the scoreboard, as Evangel forced MACU to swing a -.036 attacking percentage, taking a 25-15 victory in set three and sweep of the Evangels.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Loran Pritchett led the team with 14 kills against MACU.
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Jessica Pritchett returned to action, recording 18 assists to lead the team.
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Kenna Wise recorded 13 digs in the victory.
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Vivianna Sanchez had a strong game at the net, recording seven blocks.
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This is Evangel's first time opening the season 4-0 since the shortened 2020 season.
UP NEXT
Evangel concludes the C of O Classic on Saturday (Aug. 31) morning, taking on USAO at 10:00 a.m., followed by a 2:00 p.m. match with Mission in Point Lookout.
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. Â
