HASTINGS, Neb. – The Mid-America Christian volleyball team had its highs and lows on the first day of the Hastings College Classic on Friday as the Evangels opened the day by sweeping Bethel 3-0 before dropping a hard-fought 3-1 match to Kansas Wesleyan in the nightcap.
Mid-America Christian vs. Bethel (Kan.)
SCORE
- Mid-America Christian 3, Bethel 0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-21)
- Mid-America Christian (3-1)
- Bethel (4-2)
TOP PERFORMERS
MATCH NOTES
- Mid-America Christian grounded out the hard-fought defensive match by out-hitting Bethel with 32 kills on a .168 attack percentage while limiting the Threshers to 31 kills on a .055 clip.
- Despite the Evangels' offensive struggles, sophomore middle blocker Miriam Nardi put together a solid match in the middle by recording a match-high 11 kills on a .526 attack percentage.
- Lena Stockhammer (14) and Casady McKinney (13) combined to dish out 27 assists.
- The three-set sweep was MACU's first of the season.
- The Evangels have now won four straight against the Threshers, including three in a row since 2020.
Mid-America Christian vs. Kansas Wesleyan
SCORE
- Kansas Wesleyan 3, Mid-America Christian 1 (25-17, 24-26, 25-21, 25-21)
- Mid-America Christian (3-2)
- Kansas Wesleyan (3-2)
TOP PERFORMERS
MATCH NOTES
- While the Evangels were able to out-hit Kansas Wesleyan 56-to-48 in the kills department, MACU struggled against the Coyotes blocking as KWU forced 25 MACU attack errors, eight of which coming off blocks to finish with a higher hitting percentage (.242-to-.214).
- The Yotes were also able to utilize their blocking and serving to pull away with the win, recording 12 aces to just seven for MACU while also notching eight team blocks to just one for the Evangels.
- Miriam Nardi once again provided a huge spark out of the middle for MACU, registering a season-high 18 kills on a .517 attack percentage.
- For the second time this season, Lena Stockhammer narrowly missed a triple double after recording a team-high 24 assists, 11 kills on a .360 hitting clip and nine digs to go with a pair of service aces.
- Marlee Hunter led the MACU defensive efforts with a team-high 19 digs.
- Despite playing another close match, the Evangels missed out on its opportunity to get its first ever program win over Kansas Wesleyan, falling to 0-3 in the all-time series.
UP NEXT
- Mid-America Christian will look to try and end the Hasting College Classic on a high note on Saturday as the Evangels will take on York (Neb.) at noon before wrapping up the event against Presentation (S.D.) at 4 p.m.
