December 1, 2022

Sioux City, Iowa: For the 2022 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship pool play matchup, the Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lady Lions matched up to face Marian University (Ind.) in the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. The Lady Lions made school history as they competed in their program's first National Championship pool play game.

The Lady Lions (33-1, 20-0) were beaten for the first time this season by Marian in four riveting and entertaining sets, 25-19, 25-21, 25-15, and 25-18.

 

Lion Review

• Karena Tipton's kill would give the Lady Lions the first point. Before Marian University could answer, SAGU would score the game's second point thanks to a fortunate bounce.

• Ava Myers would leap and soar to acrobatically slap her first NAIA championship kill. The outside hitter's impressive jumping skills were on display.

• The opening set's gameplay was exciting and competitive, and the scoring was ferocious. Excellent play at the net from Alexandra Bonnett, Emma Tompkins, and Karena Tipton stopped Marian's middle assaults.

• Ava Myers was a standout performer for the Lady Lions in the opening set; she consistently kept SAGU within reach and never let Marian build a lead larger than three. 

• Hank Moore, head volleyball coach at SAGU, called a timeout following a lift violation to help his team focus on the remaining points of the first set, but Marian pulled away to win 25-19.

• To begin the second set of play, SAGU was ultra-aggressive. Emma Tompkins would blast a kill that ricocheted off a Marian blocker's head and out of boundaries. 

• Kya Bock, SAGU's service mastermind, sent back-to-back serves that graciously floated over the net with beautiful backspin and velocity. 

• Ava Myers' explosive offensive showcase continued in the game's second set. Myers' hitting was dynamite.

• Tessa Glick dug out multiple Marian attacks to defensively give the SAGU Lady Lions a security blanket.

• Abby Wells would force the game's match point, then Riley Burcham would dish a dazzling pass to Emma Tompkins to win the second set, 25-21.

• With the match series tied 1-1, both teams entered the third set aiming to play their most compelling brand of volleyball. Before a kill by Karena Tipton could stop the run, Marian was able to establish a 6-0 scoring lead in the third set.

• SAGU could not reduce the scoring lead despite an outstanding performance by Lilly Hanna at the net and a Tessa Glick serve ace that captivated the audience.

• The Marian team would prevail in the match's fourth and final set.

• The Lion's kill leaders were Ava Myers (16), Emma Tompkins (10), and Karena Tipton (6). The Lions blocks leaders were Karena Tipton (5.0), Emma Tompkins (3.0), and Alexandra Bonnett (2.0).

• Tessa Glick (21) and Lindi Boling (20) were the SAGU defense's top diggers, and Riley Burcham (38) recorded the competition's highest assist total.

 

The Next Step

Next up for the SAGU, Lady Lions will play Northwestern College (Iowa) for the back half of their pool play matchup in the NAIA Volleyball national tournament.

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As a leading Christian university, SAGU educates and prepares individuals who want to serve Christ and others. SAGU helps students discover and develop their God-given callings in a Spirit-empowered, learning community. We believe in affordable tuition, made possible in part through the financial support of donors who embrace the mission of SAGU and the importance of affordable, accredited programs to train Christians for leadership in ministry, business, education, and service. Most majors are available in-person in Waxahachie, TX, and online through a wide range of associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.