OKLAHOMA CITY – The Mid-America Christian University volleyball team returned to the court on Tuesday evening to open a four-match week that includes a pair of Sooner Athletic Conference matchups against teams from the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The Evangels welcomed the Southwestern Christian University Eagles to the Gaulke Activity Center, and in what was a hard fought and entertaining match, the Evangels came up on the short end of the decision.
MACU (7-4, 3-3 SAC) struggled against the SCU (7-4, 3-4 SAC) block in the match, as the Eagled had 11 blocks on the night, and MACU made 35 errors on the attack, as the Eagles won the match 25-18, 22-25, 25-17, and 25-16.
After the teams split the first six points of the night, SCU used an 8-2 run to open an 11-5 lead, and the Eagles' advantage eventually reached 16-8 before MACU began to pull closer. Five straight points for the Evangels, highlighted by a pair of kills from Elena Hadzhieva, pulled MACU to within three at 16-13, but they were unable to get any closer. MACU did not score consecutive points again in the set, as SCU took the opening frame 25-18.
SCU took a 3-1 lead early in the second, but the Evangels battled back and the set remained close throughout. MACU tied the score at 3-3, and neither team held a multiple point lead again until a pair of service aces gave SCU a 15-13 lead and forced MACU into a timeout. The strategy paid off, as MACU quickly rallied to tie the set at 16, and the Evangels surged in front late with three straight points to claim a 22-19 edge. The Eagles twice closed to within one, but they did not draw level, and MACU held on for the set two win 25-22.
The third stanza started much as the second had played out, remaining close through the early stages, but with the score 8-7 in SCU's favor, the Eagles ripped off an 8-0 run, and they led by at least four points for the remainder of the frame, taking the 25-17 win. The teams split the first 30 points of the fourth set, but with the score tied at 15, SCU took a stranglehold on the match with another 8-0 run, and the Eagles closed out the win 25-16.
Annika Barnett led MACU with 11 kills, and Alexa Bass had another double-double with 21 assists and 12 digs. Morgan Van Meir added 11 assists, Maegan Plunk led all players with 23 digs, Gabrielle Poling posted 11 digs, and Kaylie Walker notched 10 digs as well.
MACU will hit the road for the remainder of the week, beginning Thursday when they head to nearby Oklahoma City University (10-2, 6-1 SAC). First serve of the match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
