Volleyball Claims Five-Set Thriller Over Evangel
LAMONI, IA- Graceland University women's volleyball walks away with a win after an intense, five set battle with Evangel University. Graceland came out on top; 25-20, 25-17, 25-20, 25-18, 15-12.
The Jackets advanced to 8-8, 2-4 Heart, while the Crusaders fell 5-14, 1-5 Heart.
In the first set, Graceland started a bit shakey, as the Crusaders took the lead early on. GU battled back, and eventually reclaimed the lead at 9-8. From that point forward, the game remained very close. Late in the set, Graceland was able to move ahead 21-16, before going on to take the first 25-20.
Once again, Evangel started off strong in the second. Momentum continued for the Crusaders, A series of big EU blocks, paired up with a multitude of Graceland errors cause the gap to become as big as 20-11, Crusaders. Graceland started to chip away at the Crusader lead little by little, but it wasn't enough. The Jackets fell 25-17.
The third set was almost a direct replica of the second. Crusaders off to an early start, breaking away to lead at 16-9. Once again, a trio of GU attackers - Emma Runyan, Hannah Farley, and Megan Kneib - started producing kills that helped to gain some traction on Evangel. Unfortunately, the Jackets fell in the third 25-20.
The glimpses of Graceland momentum really took off in the fourth set, as GU decided they were not going down without a fight. The Crusaders and the Jackets battled point for point almost until the end. Some key Graceland kills, as well as great ball control, helped the Yellowjackets break away. GU won the fourth set 25-18, forcing the decisive fifth set.
Right off the bat in the fifth, a big ace by Graceland's Keslie Sickles helped set the tone for the set. Both sides were battling, but the Crusaders held a few points over the Jackets. Slowly, Graceland started coming back. With the score tied at 12-all, Graceland's Kneib connected with the ball, and placed the Jackets in the lead. In the end, it was a kill by Farley that brought it all home. GU earned the set and the victory 15-12.
Megan Kneib led Graceland with another career performance, tallying 21 kills for the night. Three other players, contributed double-figure performances. Farley, Sickels and Emma Runyan added 13, 11, and 10 kills, respectively. The offensive tempo was set by Emree Sato and Stephanie Herman, who combined for 51 of the team's 64 assists. Defensively, Sydney Stewart put together a solid 32 digs in the win.
Evangel's offense was highlighted by Heather Gahm with 13 kills. Both Olivia Johnston and Ayona Tharps contributed 10 each. Victoria Fishback dished out 31 of EU's 40 assits. Defensively Jorden Stacey marked 24 digs in the contest.
Graceland women's volleyball will next play Mount Mercy University on September 26 at 7:00 p.m. in Cedar Rapids, IA.
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