The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 3, Graceland 0 | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 3, Haskell 0 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (2-0), Graceland (0-2), Haskell (0-2) 

Location: Fulton, Mo. (Anderson Arena)

FULTON, Mo. – Valor Volleyball opened their 2025 campaign on Friday (Aug. 22) afternoon, taking on Graceland and Haskell at the William Woods Invitational. Looking to open their season on the right foot, Evangel put forth a dominant effort, taking straight sets on Friday to sweep both the Yellowjackets and HINU.

Evangel jumped out to an early 6-2 lead over Graceland in their first match of the day, using a pair of kills from Vivianna Sanchez and attacking errors from the Yellowjackets to grab an early lead. Graceland was able to fight back in the set, drawing within two of the Valor lead, 15-13, before Bella Wakley came alive offensively, pushing EU to a 25-18 win in set one.

Graceland opened the second set on a 5-0 run and trailed in the set, 9-5, before a 6-0 Evangel run with three kills coming from Wakley gave EU a 11-9 lead. Strong defensive play and several blocks at the net helped solidify Evangel's 25-18 win in the second set.

The final set against the Yellowjackets proved to be an all-around team effort as Cienna Turner, Charlotte Hawkins, Sharayah Seymour, Simone Johnson, Sanchez, and Wakley, all recorded kills in the 25-16 win and sweep of Graceland.

Cienna Turner and Charlotte Hawkins both helped Evangel jump out of the gates early against Haskell, as EU jumped out to a 17-4 lead before closing the set out on a 8-1 run to claim the win, 25-5.

Haskell bounced back in set two and put up a fight against the Valor offense, holding a tied game late in the set, 22-22. Evangel stuck to their guns and used a Brooklyn Claxton kill and forced a pair of mistakes by the HINU offense to take a 25-22 win in the second set.

The Valor held Haskell at arm's length in the final set, trailing just once early in the set before a 14-4 Evangel run blew the game open with junior transfer Ashley Suter closing the game out with a service ace in a 25-12 victory.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bella Wakley led Evangel with 22 combined kills on Friday.

• Jessica Pritchett led the team with 34 combined assists.

• Kenna Wise finished her evening with 29 combined digs to lead the team.

• Vivianna Sanchez recorded 10 total blocks on Friday.

UP NEXT

The Valor will conclude the William Woods Invite on Saturday (Aug. 23) afternoon, taking on William Woods and Justice University.

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.