Mid-America Christian University

WAXAHAHCIE, TEXAS – The MACU Volleyball team struggled to get going in the Sooner Athletic Conference Quarterfinals against top-seeded Nelson as the Evangels exit the SAC Tournament after a straight set loss to the Lions on Tuesday evening in Waxahachie, Texas
 
SCORE

• (8) Mid-America Christian 0, (1) Nelson 3 (15-25, 19-25, 20-25)
  • Mid-America Christian: (17-13, 12-10 SAC)
  • #18 Nelson (Texas): (26-5, 21-1 SAC)

TOP PERFORMERS

• Morgan Cross: 8 Kills, .333 ATK%, 2 Digs
• Mia Benson: 8 Kills, .154 ATK%
• Seyi Atolagbe: 6 Kills, .235 ATK%, Dig
• Kristen Straughn: 16 Ast, 3 Digs
• Jasmine Liongco: 16 Ast, 5 Digs
• Gracelyn Skaggs: 15 Digs, Ast

MATCH SUMMARY

• Set One
  • Morgan Cross continued her good run of form as she got the Evangels on the board after a good set from Jasmine Liongco. MACU stayed right with the Lions through the opening few rallies as an attack error from Nelson gave the Evangels a 6-5 advantage.
  • Mid-America Christian fought through the media timeout and stayed within a few points as Marcela Nalin pulled MACU back at 10-14.
  • The Evangels fell underneath the Lions' momentum to close the first set as the Lions won seven of the last eight points to win 25-15.
• Set Two
  • MACU jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead highlighted by Nalin again on the offensive side. The Evangels kept its lead through 8-6 as Ava Stewart's kill kept the advantage.
  • Seyi Atolagbe knotted the second set up at 10-10 until Nelson rallied off five points in a row to take a stronghold on the set. The Evangels stayed within that margin as Atolagbe and Cross continued to be the focal point offensively. However, The Lions defensive firepower came up with a big black on set point to take it 25-19.
• Set Three
  • MACU played a competitive few rallies to start the third set as the Evangels were level 6-6 as Mia Benson had three kills during that stretch. Benson kept MACU within one at 11-10 with another kill on the offensive end.
  • The Evangels won three in a row out of the media timeout to pull within one after a few attacking errors from Nelson. However, Nelson poured it on down the stretch and MACU was unable to maintain the pressure to close it out. Marcela Nalin saved one match point, but the Lions came up with another big time block to win 25-20.

MATCH NOTES

• MACU struggled offensively hitting a .171 ATK% to the Lions .295. Nelson ended with 45 kills to the Evangels 34. MACU also committed more attacking errors as Nelson's defense was stout all evening.
• Mia Benson and Morgan Cross led the way with eight kills each. Cross continued to work efficiently at .333 ATK%, while Benson was .154. Seyi Atolagbe finished right behind with six kills on a .235 ATK%.
• Kristen Straughn has stepped into a distribution role as her and Jasmine Liongco split 16 apiece to lead the team.
• On the defensive end, Gracelyn Skaggs led with 15 digs with Madison Lee not far behind with seven. The Evangels put up one block as Katie Stafford registered the block.    
• MACU fell to 7-48 all-time against the prolific Nelson Volleyball program. The Evangels have lost 12 straight matches against the Lions.     

UP NEXT

• Although the NAIA season ended, Mid-America Christian will compete in the NCCAA regionals in Plainview, Texas on the campus of Wayland Baptist with dates to be announced.