Hillsboro, Kan. – McPherson faced off against Tabor College Wednesday night for their final road matchup of the regular season. The Bulldogs headed into the match looking to remain unbeaten on the road, while the Bluejays aimed to bounce back after a pair of losses to Evangel and Bethany.
The Basics
Location: Tabor Gymnasium
Score: MC 3, TC 0
Records: MC 29-1 (KCAC 12-0), TC 8-17 (KCAC 4-8)
How it Happened
The Bulldogs built an early lead to open the match, starting with a 5-0 run. Tabor was able to trim the deficit to three after a few miscues from McPherson's offense, but the Bulldogs quickly responded, scoring ten of the next eleven points – highlighted by three kills from
Enya Fierens – to extend their advantage to 16-5 and force the Bluejays to call a timeout. The break did little to slow McPherson's momentum, as the Bulldogs cruised to a 25-9 victory in the opening set.
Tabor started the second set stronger, trading points with McPherson early on. The Bulldogs then went on another surge, scoring five straight behind three quick kills from
Tori Buss. After a Bluejay timeout, the teams went back and forth for the next several rallies before Tabor pulled within two. McPherson didn't let the set stay close for long, closing on a dominant stretch – winning 13 of the final 17 points – to take the set 25-14 and grab a 2-0 lead in the match.
McPherson once again jumped out to an early lead in the third set, fueled by a pair of kills from
April Conilogue and a Tabor attack error. The Bulldogs continued to build on their lead, stretching their lead to six and prompting another Bluejay timeout. Up by 12 at match point, the Bulldogs looked to close out the match, but four straight errors allowed Tabor to claw back within five. The Bulldogs regrouped, however, finishing strong with a 25-19 victory to complete the sweep in their final road match of the regular season.
Offensively, the Bulldogs were led by
Katie Warden, who posted nine kills and three blocks, while Fierens added eight kills and four blocks of her own. From the service line,
Roxana Varela Parra put on a clinic with four aces to go along with her 21 assists.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will be back at Holman Fieldhouse on Saturday to host Evangel University for Senior Night. First serve is set for 2:00 PM.
