Evangel University of the Assemblies of God

The Basics

Score: Evangel 3, Saint Mary 1 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (17-11, 8-3), Saint Mary (14-14, 6-4)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel Volleyball hosted the Saint Mary Spires on Wednesday (Oct. 28) night, aiming to take a pivotal game in the KCAC conference standings and honor their seniors for senior night. A balanced team effort where five Evangel athletes recorded double digit kills helped pace a strong 3-1 win over the Spires on Wednesday.

Charlotte Hawkins and Ashya Thompson both used strong first sets to pace the Valor offense, as Saint Mary struggled offensively, swinging -..037 in the first set. Trailing 4-3 early, the Valor generated a 9-3 run to take a 13-6 lead over USM. Hawkins heated up late from the middle blocker position and Simone Johnson closed the set with a kill in a 25-14 win in set one.

Set two proved to be much closer on the scoreboard, as USM led early, 10-6. Saint Mary made mistakes in the period to allow Evangel to take a 16-14 lead. The Spires took a 17-16 lead but the Valor again took advantage of Saint Mary attacking errors to capture a 20-17 lead. USM was able to rally in the set unfortunately for EU, closing the set on a 7-1 run to take a 26-24 win in set two to tie the game up at a set apiece.

After Saint Mary took a 9-7 lead, Cienna Turner used a trio of kills to pace a 7-0 run to give EU a 14-9 lead. The Spires battled back again, similar to set two, tying the game up at 23-23. Evangel was able to use kills from Jessica Pritchett and Brooke Daniels in the set to fuel the Valor to a 25-23 win in set three.

Similar to sets two and three, Saint Mary again was able to tie the score up late in the period, making it a 21-21 ballgame. Johnson and Hawkins gave the Valor a two point lead and after a service error from EU, Hawkins wrapped the game up, recording a kill and solo block on the final play of the game, taking a 25-22 win in set four.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ashya Thompson led Evangel with 13 kills on Wednesday.

• Charlotte Hawkins (12 kills), Jessica Pritchett (11 kills), Cienna Turner (11 kills), and Simone Johnson (10 kills) rounded out double digit kills on Wednesday.

• Jessica Pritchett and Brooklyn Claxton recorded a trio of service aces to lead EU.

• Hawkins finished Wednesday with a team high four blocks.

• Brooklyn Claxton led EU in assists with 33.

• Addison Jones led the Valor with 26 digs in Wednesday's win.

UP NEXT

Evangel Volleyball hits the road to take on the Tabor Bluejays in Hillsboro, Kansas at 1:00 p.m., aiming to earn another KCAC win.

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.  

—#OneValor—