The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 3, Freed-Hardeman 0 | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 3, Cottey 0 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (11-1), Freed-Hardeman (5-7), Cottey (3-8)

Location: St. Louis, Mo. (UHSP Gymnasium)

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Valor Volleyball traveled to the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy on Friday, to compete at the UHSP Classic. Evangel took on the Freed-Hardeman Lions in game one, followed by a matchup with fellow Missouri school Cottey College.

The Valor opened play on Friday with a sweep of Freed-Hardeman, surviving a third set scare against the Lions in game one, 3-0.

Evangel and Freed-Hardeman played a tightly contested first set, as Evangel only led by two points late in the set, 18-16. A 4-0 Evangel run where the Valor took advantage of FHU mistakes and a service ace from Addison Allen proved to be the difference as Jessica Pritchett closed out the set with an ace, taking a 25-18 win in set one.

In set two, the Valor took an early 7-2 lead behind kills from Loran Pritchett and a service ace from Meredith Avery. The Lions were able to come within a point, 7-6, but more mistakes from FHU helped Evangel, giving EU a 13-6 lead. The Lions were unable to overcome their errors in the set, as Loran Pritchett again led Evangel to a win, 25-18, using a pair of service aces to fuel their late run.

Although Evangel took a 19-9 lead in set three and it appeared the Valor would cruise to a dominant win, the final six points for the Valor did not come easy. Freed-Hardeman took advantage of several Evangel errors and was able to bring it all the way to a 24-23 game, but Evangel's Taylor Osborne and Vivianna Sanchez closed out any chance of a Lion comeback, blocking an attack to give EU a 25-23 win in the final set.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bella Wakley and Vivianna Sanchez finished with a team high nine kills.

• Jessica Pritchett led the team with 12 assists in the win.

• Wakley and J. Pritchett led the team with seven digs.

• Sanchez finished with five blocks in the win over Freed-Hardeman.

• The Pritchett sisters and Addison Allen all recorded a pair of service aces in the win.

Evangel had a brief 30 minute break before returning to action, taking on Cottey College in game two of the afternoon. The Valor made quick work of their opponent, sweeping the Comets in straight sets, 3-0.

Cottey opened set one by keeping pace with Evangel, as the Comets trailed by just two points, 10-8. The Valor made sure to leave no doubt in the remainder of the first set, taking advantage of mistakes from the Cottey offense and using kills from Loran Pritchett and Sharayah Seymour to take a 25-10 win in set one, ending on a 15-2 run.

The Comets held a 10-9 lead over Evangel in set two, but again, a run by the Valor with multiple kills coming from Vivianna Sanchez regave EU the lead, 15-10. Several blocks and a service ace from Jessica Pritchett ended the set, as the Valor took a 25-16 second set. 

Evangel's offense could not be stopped in set three, as the Valor took an early 6-0 lead. Cottey fought to trail by just four points, 19-15, but kills from Bella Wakley and Jessica Pritchett ended the game, as EU took the sweep in a 25-16 win in the final set.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Loran Pritchett finished with a team high 10 kills.

• Jessica Pritchett led the team with 21 assists in the win.

• Kenna Wise led the team with 14 digs.

• Vivianna Sanchez finished with four blocks in the win.

• Jessica Pritchett had a strong game serving, leading the team with four service aces.

UP NEXT

Evangel concluded the UHSP Classic on Saturday (Sept. 14) morning, taking on Brescia at 10:30 a.m., followed by a matchup with (RV) Missouri Baptist at 2:30 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.