ST. LOUIS, Mo.— The Bulldogs couldn't have asked for a better start to the MBU Classic Tournament on Friday (Oct 11) as they scored two wins against Faulkner University and Missouri Baptist University.
Game One- No. 24 McPherson-3 Faulkner-1
Set one got off to a rocky start for the Bulldogs as the Eagles jumped out to an early 8-4 lead. However, this lead evaporated as MC scored seven straight rally points to take the lead 11-8 and took control of the set the rest of the way to secure a 25-13 set win.
The second set saw both squads go back and forth, but the Bulldogs were able to maintain a consistent lead. The Eagles made things interesting once MC reached set point, but MC held on for a 25-20 set win.
A slow start doomed MC as they were unable to secure a sweep, losing the third set 25-21. The response to the lost set by the Bulldogs was resounding as MC secured the victory in a dominant 25-7 win in set four to secure the match win.
Brooke McHale led the team with 12 kills in the match and Raegan Murphy recorded 28 of the team's 51 assists.
Game Two- No. 24 McPherson-3 RV Missouri Baptist-2
McPherson and the Spartans spent the first set going back and forth with neither team being able to gather much separation from the other. The Bulldogs were finally able to break away and took the set, 25-20.
Missouri Baptist generated an 11-5 lead in set two, but MC was far from out of it as they stormed back to tie it up at 13. The Eagles once again pushed the lead out just for the Bulldogs to chip it down to tie it back up at 21. MBU was able to make one final run to secure the set, 25-23.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead and used that early lead to hold the Eagles at bay to win set three 25-21, but MBU returned the favor with a huge run late in set four to secure a 25-17 set win to force a fifth and final set to decide the winner.
Six of the first eight rally points in set five were scored by the Bulldogs, giving them the early momentum. The Eagles attempted to make a rally, but MC held on and secured the match with a 15-10 set win.
McHale shined once again for MC, recording 16 kills and 22 digs. Murphy fell just one assist shy of breaking past 20 assists, collecting 19 assists.
McPherson finishes up play in the MBU Classic tournament tomorrow morning to face off against RV Lindsey Wilson College at 9 a.m.
