The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 3, Bethany 0 | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 3, Texas A&M-Texarkana 2 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (9-2, 1-0), Bethany (0-6, 0-1), Texas A&M-Texarkana (11-3)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Volleyball hosted their first matches of the season on Friday (Sept. 5) at the Evangel Quad, taking on Bethany in a KCAC conference matchup and Texas A&M-Texarkana. Evangel swept their way to a victory against Bethany and used a come from behind effort to take down the Eagles of Texas A&M-Texarkana, moving to 9-2 on the year with the pair of wins.

Bethany took an early lead in set one of Friday's first matchup, as the Valor used a small run to take the lead and an 8-2 to close out the first set, taking a 25-16 win over Bethany. EU recorded three consecutive blocks to close out the set, displaying dominant defense.

After recording several kills in the first set, Charlotte Hawkins helped lead EU to victory in set two, as she recorded several more kills to pace the Valor offense. Bethany trailed by as much as nine points in the second set, as the Valor used a kill from Simone Johnson to give EU a 25-17 win.

EU took care of business in the third and final set of their win over Bethany, leading wire to wire against the Swedes, using kills from seven different athletes to take a 25-17 win and sweep of Bethany.

In the primetime matchup on Friday, Evangel and TAMUT played close in every set. To open the game, the Eagles fought to take a 17-13 lead over the Valor. EU fought back, using three kills from Bella Wakley and a pair of attacking errors to take an 18-17 lead. Despite three consecutive kills coming from Simone Johnson, TAMUT tied the game up at 22-22, forcing an Evangel timeout. Mary Whitehead's call for time came at the right moment, as kills from Johnson and Cienna Turner helped fuel a set ending 3-0 run to give EU the win, 25-22.

The second set proved to be a barnburner, as neither team could grab much of a lead without a response from their opponent. A 16-12 Valor lead was countered by a 4-0 Eagle run, and the next thing you knew, TAMUT had a 21-19 lead over EU. A 4-0 Valor run re-established the lead for the home team, 23-21, but the Eagles continued to fight, evening up the score at 23. It would be the road Eagles who would find the final 2-0 run of the set, taking a 27-25 win in set two over the Valor.

Evangel fought in the third set and was able to take a 14-11 lead, as a result of a 7-0 run when they were trailing 11-7. Unfortunately for EU, it would again be the Eagles finding runs at the right time, as both teams went point for point until the finish of the set, with TAMUT taking a 2-1 set lead, 25-22.

With their backs against the wall, Evangel did not allow the visiting Eagles to generate a run after grabbing a lead in set four. Johnson and Sanchez helped guide the Evangel offense, taking as much as a seven point lead in set four, 18-11. TAMUT attempted to claw back in the set, but the early lead proved to be enough, as EU took a 25-19 win in set four, forcing the final set of the evening.

Set five proved to be all Evangel, as the Eagles struggled to attack late. Tired legs and arms of TAMUT forced balls in the net and into the EU block, as the momentum had fully swung in EU's direction. Vivianna Sanchez closed out Friday's game with a kill, her 15th of the game, paired with six blocks, as EU took a 15-7 win in the final set.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bella Wakley led Evangel with 23 combined kills on Friday.

• Brooklyn Claxton led the team with 49 combined assists.

• Kenna Wise finished with a team high 47 digs on Friday.

• Vivianna Sanchez recorded 11 total blocks.

• Four different Valor athletes finished with three combined service aces on Friday.

UP NEXT

The Valor will take on Mission tomorrow (Sept. 6) afternoon at 2:00 p.m. to wrap up the Evangel Quad.

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.