The Basics

Score: Evangel 3, #25 Columbia 2 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (13-2), Columbia (7-8) 

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Center)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Volleyball returned home on Thursday (Sept. 19) evening, playing host to the 25th ranked Columbia College Cougars in their first ever game in the new AGFinancial Arena. In front of a large and loud crowd, Evangel was able to grit their way to a 3-2 victory in five sets, pulling off the upset win to open the new facility, breaking a 19-game losing streak to the Cougars.

Prior to Thursday's match, head coach Mary Whitehead was honored and received an award from the University President, Dr. Mike Rakes, in commemoration of her 25 years of service to Evangel and to honor her for being one of the newest members of the Evangel Athletics Hall of Fame.

Set one proved to be evenly matched and from the start, the crowd knew that this game would take more than just three sets. Columbia led for the majority of set one, taking a late 3-0 run to make it a 20-18 game in their favor. The Valor battled and a pair of kills from Sharayah Seymour helped the Valor cause, but EU came up just short in the set, 25-22.

Set two played similar to set one, but this time it was Evangel who led for the majority of the set. Several kills from Bella Wakley and strong defensive play at the net for Evangel gave EU a 19-14 lead over the Cougars that they could not overcome. A kill from Loran Pritchett solidified the set for Evangel, 25-19, to even the score.

Evangel dominated from the start of set three. A 10-3 run to open the set for Evangel put Columbia on the ropes. Bella Wakley continued her strong play accompanied by a few kills from Sydney Bryan. A kill from Mayci Routh on a ball that just barely traveled over the net and an ace from Jessica Pritchett gave EU set three, 25-14.

The Cougars fought back in set four, not going down without a fight against the Valor who had momentum on their new home court. Evangel trailed just 20-16 when a kill from Loran Pritchett made it 20-17. Columbia closed the set out with a 5-1 run, taking the fourth set to force a fifth and final set, 25-18.

Evangel took an early lead in the pivotal set. A pair of kills from Vivianna Sanchez, who had a career night, helped EU take an early 3-1 lead. The Valor were able to maintain a three point lead for the majority of the set, but leading 14-11, the Cougars responded with a 2-0 run to draw within a point, 14-13. Sharayah Seymour put the game to bed, sending a ball into the middle of the floor to give Evangel the five-set win, 15-13, opening the brand new AGFinancial Center with a win.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Vivianna Sanchez recorded 16 kills in the win and was joined by Loran Pritchett (15), Bella Wakley (13), and Sharayah Seymour (11) for double digit assists.

• Jessica Pritchett led the team with 30 assists in the win.

• Kenna Wise led the team with 19 digs.

• Vivianna Sanchez led the team with six blocks.

• Loran Pritchett recorded a pair of service aces in the win.

• Evangel broke a 19-game losing streak to Columbia with the win this evening.

UP NEXT

Evangel hits the road on Wednesday (Sept. 25) evening, taking on the Tabor College Bluejays at 6:00 p.m. in Hillsboro, Kansas.

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.