McPherson, Kan. – McPherson hosted the Evangel University Valor on Saturday for Senior Day, with the KCAC Regular Season title on the line. The Bulldogs entered the matchup a perfect 12-0 in conference play, while the Valor looked to hand McPherson their first KCAC loss and notch another win over a Top-10 nationally ranked opponent after their five-set victory against No. 9 Oklahoma Wesleyan on Wednesday night.
The Basics:
Location: Holman Fieldhouse
Score: MC 3, EU 1
Records: MC 30-1 (KCAC 13-0), EU 29-4 (KCAC 11-2)
How it Happened
Set one was tightly contested early, with both sides trading points to even the score at 6-6. The Bulldogs were the first to string together a run, scoring four straight to pull ahead 10-8. Evangel responded quickly, tying it at 10 before taking control with a 5-1 run to go up 17-13 and force a McPherson timeout. The Valor came out of the break strong, extending their lead to 20-13. Despite a few late rallies, the Bulldogs couldn't close the gap, dropping the opening set 25-17.
McPherson came out firing in set two, building a 10-6 advantage to force an early timeout. The Bulldogs continued to roll, stretching their lead to six, behind kills from Lily Grey and
Katie Warden. A late five-point surge capped by a kill from
Brooke McHale sealed a dominant 25-16 win to even the match at 1-1.
Momentum swung back and forth to start set three, but a pair of aces from McHale helped McPherson grab control. Evangel clawed back to within three late, but the Bulldogs held firm for a 25-21 victory and a 2-1 lead in the match.
Set four was intense from the start, with the teams trading points to the midway mark. McPherson broke through with a few miscues from Evangel to go up by two, forcing a timeout from the Valor. The Bulldogs extended their advantage to six after the break, prompting another Valor timeout. Evangel cut the lead to three down the stretch, but McPherson held on for a 25-22 win to take the match 3-1 and clinch the KCAC Regular Season Championship.
Katie Warden paced McPhersons offense with 20 kills and two blocks, while
Enya Fierens put on an impressive performance herself with eight kills, five blocks, and a pair of aces.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will remain at Holman Fieldhouse for Tuesday Night's KCAC Tournament Quarterfinal, hosting Sterling College at 7:00 PM.
