Hillsboro, Kan. – It was a grueling match from start to finish between McPherson College and Tabor College on Wednesday night. The Blue Jays took the opening set 26-24, Mac grabbed the second 25-21, Tabor the third 25-17, then the 'Dogs evened it again after a 25-20 win in set four. The fifth set was a nail-biter with the home team 'Jays taking it 15-13, securing the 3-2 victory.
Tabor got off to a fast start in the first set, using a monster 8-0 run to jump out in front early. The Lady 'Dogs pushed right back and got the score even at 17-17. From there, the clubs stayed close to each other but TC was able to grab the match at 26-24.
In the second, it was a near reversal. McPherson held the lead most of the way but a late run by Tabor tied thing at 18-18. The Bulldogs surged forward for the 25-21 win.
In the third, the Lady 'Jays used a couple runs to give them a sizeable lead which they used to coast to the 25-17 victory.
Determined to force a fifth set, Mac took control midway through the fourth and used their momentum to hold off a late Tabor push, winning 25-20.
McPherson was the first to eight points in the final set of the night, leading 8-7 at the switch. The Bulldogs went up 12-10 but then a 3-1 run by TC tied things up at 13-13. With the home crowd firing on all cylinders, Tabor scored the final two points to finish the match.
Mac held a higher attacking percentage for the match, hitting a .180 from the floor, they also had seven total blocks compared to five of Tabor. Leia Seiler led the 'Dogs in kills with her 14 on 38 attempts, .263 percent. Lexi Kite was second on the team with 11 kills; she also had three service aces in the match. Senior middle hitter Taryn Lee tabbed 11 total points with her seven kills, three solo and two assisted blocks.
Maci Schlehuber recorded a team-high 21 assists and also had seven digs in the game. Rhianna Smith had 19 assists along with three service aces and three digs.
The digging machine was Emily Warner. The libero had a game-high 27 digs in the five-set match; she also tallied one kill, one ace, and two assists for Mac. Jocelyn Cochran made the double-digit dig list with her 10; the junior added seven kills and one ace for the 'Dogs as well.
McPherson will be at home for their next match which is slated for Saturday, September 26 against the Friends University Falcons. The junior varsity is set to begin at 12:30 p.m. (CT) with the varsity commencing at 2:00.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
