Shawnee, Okla. -- For the second time this season, the St. Gregory's University Cavaliers slipped by the Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels 3-2 in Sooner Athletic Conference action tonight (Oct. 14) in Shawnee, Okla. 

The Cavaliers also defeated the Lady Evangels in five sets in the earlier meeting this year (9/23). 

Also like the first matchup, the Cavaliers prevailed by a 15-13 score in the decisive fifth set. 

Tonight, the fifth set featured eight ties, with the last coming at 13-13. 

From there, consecutive kills by Mackenzie Richardson and Gabby Ware propelled the Cavaliers to the win. 

Down 2-1, the Lady Evangels stayed alive in the fourth set by rallying from four points down at 18-14 to take their first lead since the early stages at 22-21. 

The Lady Evangels led 24-23 when a kill by Larissa Runyan finished off the set and forced the fifth set. 

SGU took a close first set 26-24, before the Lady Evangels tied the match with a dominating 25-15 win in the second set. 

The Cavaliers then took the third set 25-20 to take a 2-1 lead. 

It was a career night for Melissa Hoppal, who set career marks in assists (40) and digs (21).

Larissa Runyan and Laurel Church each led the Lady Evangels (8-14, 1-11 SAC) with 16 kills, with Shannon Niemeier adding 12 kills.  Mary Burkhead chipped in with 10 kills. 

Camera Broadnax recorded a match-high 36 digs for MACU, while Skylar Mylonas set her career-high with 23 digs. Runyan had 21 digs and Niemeier produced 12 digs. 

Ashlyn Broussard paced the Cavaliers (18-8, 9-2 SAC) with 16 kills and Sarah Ahrens had a match-high 48 assists. Broussard also matched Kayley Davis for team-high honors with 28 digs. 

The Lady Evangels will next play East Central University and Langston University on Monday evening (Oct. 17) in Langston, Okla.

MACU will then return home the next night to host USAO for their annual "Dig Pink" Night at 7 p.m. inside the Gaulke Activity Center.