The Basics
Game 1: Evangel 3, Southwestern 0 | Box Score
Game 2: Evangel 3, Stephens 0 | Box Score
Record: Evangel (8-7, 1-0), Southwestern (4-6, 0-1), Stephens (2-9)
Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel Volleyball returned home to host the annual Evangel Classic, taking on Southwestern in a KCAC matchup, as well as Stephens, in a non-conference contest. The Valor dominated on Saturday, sweeping both teams to move back above .500 on the season.
In set one against Southwestern, the Valor recorded their highest attacking percentage of the match (.244), recording 13 kills and just three attacking errors. With the game tied early at 4-4, Evangel rattled off an 11-1 run with kills coming from Simone Johnson and Cienna Turner being the difference in the set, taking a 25-12 win in set one.
The Moundbuilders jumped out to an early 5-1 lead over Evangel in set two, but the Valor rallied, using kills from Jessica Pritchett and Johnson to take a slim lead. Leading by just one point, 17-16, the Valor took advantage of SWC errors, ultimately taking a 25-18 win in set two.
In the final set of play, Southwestern took an early 8-3 lead, forcing EU to once again rally to get back into the game. The Valor would take a slim lead, but a late 3-0 SWC run with the game tied at 20-20 gave the visitors a 23-20 advantage. Evangel took advantage of mistakes from the Moundbuilders and a kill from Pritchett, service ace from Addison Jones, and block from Abby Ferguson and Pritchett gave EU the 28-26 win in set three, sweeping Southwestern in the KCAC opener.
Against Stephens, the Valor absolutely dominated the first set, recording 14 kills and no attacking errors to take a 25-9 win. Johnson and freshman Jaden Jenkins recorded several kills in the period to help pace Evangel.
In set two, Lily Lambeth and Jenkins both recorded several kills, helping guide Evangel alongside Johnson, to a 25-13 win, while Brooke Daniels, Brooklyn Claxton, and Pritchett all recorded service aces in the set win.
In the final set of play, Charlotte Hawkins recorded back-to-back kills to give EU a lead they would not relinquish, as Jersie Spears recorded a pair of service aces and Lambeth closed out the set with a 25-19 win and sweep of the Stars.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Simone Johnson led EU with 23 kills on Saturday.
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Brooklyn Claxton led the Valor with 33 assists.
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Addison Jones finished with 27 digs in Saturday's pair of contests to lead EU.
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Abby Ferguson recorded 11 total blocks on Saturday.
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Evangel recorded 20 combined service aces on Saturday.
UP NEXT
Evangel Volleyball travels to Bartlesville, Okla., on Wednesday (Sept. 16) night at 6:00 p.m. to take on the Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles.
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. Â
—#OneValor—
