Mid-America Christian University

OKLAHOMA CITY – MACU Volleyball suffered consecutive defeats at home after the Evangels dropped a four-setter against College of the Ozarks despite Marcela Nalin's Evangel career-high 18 kills on Saturday afternoon inside the Gaulke Activity Center.  
 
SCORE

• Mid-America Christian 1, College of the Ozarks 3 (19-25, 25-15, 18-25, 22-25)
  • Mid-America Christian: (7-7, 3-5 SAC)
  • College of the Ozarks (Mo.): (8-6, 5-4 SAC)

TOP PERFORMERS

• Marcela Nalin: 18 Kills, .417 ATK%, 4 Blocks, 3 Digs
• Madi Trayler: 8 Kills, .368 ATK%, 3 Digs, Block
• Bailey White: 8 Kills, .097 ATK%, 7 Digs, Ace
• Jasmine Liongco: 29 Assists, 9 Digs  
• Gracelyn Skaggs: 25 Digs, 6 Assists, 2 Aces
• Kristen Straughn: 12 Assists, 8 Digs, Ace, Kill

MATCH SUMMARY

• Set One
  • College of the Ozarks stormed out of the gates as the Bobcats jumped out to an early 8-2 lead. However, the Evangels put together three consecutive points as Marcela Nalin pulled MACU within three in the early stages.
  • COFO continued its early dominance on the offensive side as its lead grew as large as eight at the media timeout as the Evangels trailed 15-7.  
  • A few Ozarks serving errors and four consecutive kills from MACU, including two from Nalin, pulled the Evangels within four at 19-15. But the Bobcats regained momentum and put away the opening set by a 25-19 scoreline.
• Set Two
  • Mid-America Christian flipped the script in the second set with a quick 8-3 lead as four different Evangels registered a kill during the stretch. MACU's lead extended to double digits at the media timeout as Seyi Atolagbe put the Evangels up 15-5 with consecutive kills.
  • MACU continued the dominance in set two as consecutive service aces from Gracelyn Skaggs gave the Evangels a 21-11 lead. Bailey White took full advantage of her playing time making quick work of her offensive opportunities. White added five kills in the second set. Atolagbe put the final punch in the second set to level the match with a dominant 25-15 set two win.
• Set Three
  • Much like the opening two sets, the third set started with one team dominating the opening points. This time, the Bobcats opened an 8-3 lead to force the early timeout from MACU. Marcela Nalin continued to be the offensive focal point, but the Bobcats serving proved the difference.
  • The Evangels pulled within three at 16-13 as Nalin got hot with consecutive terminations in efforts to switch the momentum. However, COFO pulled ahead by winning seven of the next nine rallies to take a strong hold of set three. Madi Trayler added a late kill, but the Bobcats jumped back in front with a 25-18 set three result.
• Set Four
  • Ozarks once again jumped out to an early set lead as the Bobcats led 7-2 early. Marcela Nalin registered both Evangel points with a pair of kills.
  • MACU trailed as large as 10-3 before the Evangels started to mount their comeback. Nalin took over with four kills in a five-point span. Out of the media timeout, Marcela leveled it at 15-15 with her 16^th kill of the match.
  • The Evangels trailed just one at 20-19, but the Bobcats took full control in clutch time despite the late efforts from Nalin who added a few more kills to her new career high. COFO took the fourth set 25-22.

MATCH NOTES

• For the second consecutive game, MACU held a larger kill margin but still suffered defeat as the Evangels finished with 53 kills to the Bobcats' 48. However, COFO held a .250 ATK% to MACU's .186 ATK%. The Bobcats also had more service aces by a 9-5 margin.
• Marcela Nalin led the Evangels offensively with 18 kills on .417 ATK%. Nalin's 18 terminations are a new Evangel career-high after recording 15 earlier this season in the win over Avila. Madi Trayler added eight kills on .368 ATK%, while the freshman Bailey White used her playing time well with eight terminations of her own.
• Jasmine Liongco was the leading passer with 29 assists, her second highest tally so far this season. The freshman Kristen Straughn assisted 12.
• On the defensive side, Gracelyn Skaggs led the way with 25 digs, her second-highest total this season, and most in a four-set match.
• MACU fell to 3-5 in Sooner Athletic Conference play as the Evangels sit in eighth place, holding onto the final playoff spot currently with plenty of season left to play.
• Mid-America Christian fall to 6-4 all-time against College of the Ozarks as this series has become very competitive since the Bobcats joined the Sooner Athletic Conference in 2024.  

 
UP NEXT

• Mid-America Christian takes the short trip North to face crosstown rivals Southwestern Christian on Friday evening for a 6 P.M. first serve in Bethany, Okla. The Evangels will turn around and play the Stars of Oklahoma City on Saturday afternoon inside the Abe Lemons Arena.