OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels rebounded from 2-0 down to square the match at 2-2, but the Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lady Lions rebounded to take the fifth set and go on to win 3-2 in a thrilling Sooner Athletic Conference matchup tonight (Oct. 3) inside the Gaulke Activity Center. 

After the Lady Lions scraped out wins of 25-22 and 25-19 in the first two sets, the Lady Evangels staged a furious rally and squared the match by taking the next two sets 25-18 & 25-21. 

In the opening part of the decisive fifth set, the Lady Evangels (2-15, 0-6 SAC) carried over the momentum from the previous two sets and jumped out to an early lead as a kill by Shannon Niemeier and a service ace from Camera Broadnax made it 8-3. 

But the Lady Lions (8-8, 3-2 SAC) had a big response when three kills from JJ Abbott fueled a 12-2 spurt to end the set and give SAGU the win. 

Niemeier led the Lady Evangels with 16 kills and Larissa Runyan added 10 kills with 13 digs.  Hannah Luedtke recorded a team-high 35 assists, while Broadnax led three Lady Evangels in double-figure digs with 15. 

Faith Hardin led everyone with 17 kills on the night and Caitlin Paschall recorded a match-high 40 assists.  Emmalee Smith led the way with 16 digs for SAGU.  

The Lady Evangels will now turn around and host Langston University tomorrow (Oct. 4) at noon.