Oklahoma City, Okla. -- Senior Cris Smith, playing in her final game at MACU, went out with a bang with a team-high 20 kills and a .366 hitting percentage and Calle Solie recorded 43 assists to lead the Mid-America Christian Lady Evangels to a 3-1 victory over the Southwestern Assemblies of God Lady Lions and a third-place finish at the NCCAA Central Regionals Saturday morning (Nov. 20) at the Gaulke Activity Center.
Later in the day, the top seed Colorado Christian Cougars defeated the second seeded Dallas Baptist Lady Patriots 3-0 to win the regional championship.
The Lady Evangels won by scores of 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21.
The first set was even at 18-18 when the Lady Evangels won seven of the final nine points to jump ahead in the match.
MACU took control of the second set behind a combined seven kills from Smith and Becca Anderson for a 20-13 lead.
The Lady Lions fought back with four straight points to get back in the set, but kills by Jaime Floyd and Danielle Betts gave the Lady Evangels a 24-20 cushion.
SAGU wouldn't go away in the set and scored two straight to make it 24-22, but a kill by Taryn Walker gave the Lady Evangels the 25-22 victory and a two set lead.
Brittani Toole recorded three kills as the Lady Lions jumped out to a 16-10 lead in the fourth set.
The Lady Evangels got back in it with a 6-1 run and a kill by Floyd made it 17-16.
SAGU again extended the lead to six points with a 6-0 spurt, but the Lady Evangels refused to go away and scored six of the next seven points that made it 23-22.
The Lady Lions then closed out the set on the strength of kills by Krystal Cisneros and Caitlyn Hudson.
The fourth was tied at 12-12 when the Lady Evangels took complete control with an 8-1 run for a seven point lead.
SAGU hung around and came within 22-20, but two more kills by Smith helped MACU close out the match.
Shelbi Johnson led the Lady Evangels with a match-high 19 digs, while Smith had 10 and Solie tallied nine digs.
Toole led the Lady Lions with a match-best 21 kills and Taylor Calverley also recorded 43 assists.
