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Scoreboard

Riley pong
3
Winner SAGU SAGU 1-4
2
Jamestown JAMESTOW 1-4
Winner
SAGU SAGU
1-4
3
Final
2
Jamestown JAMESTOW
1-4
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
SAGU SAGU 31 25 10 13 15 (3)
Jamestown JAMESTOW 29 20 25 25 12 (2)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | | Darian Davis

No. 10 SAGU Lady Lions Secure Thrilling Victory Over No. 1 University of Jamestown in Five-Set Nail-Biter

August 24, 2023

San Antonio, TX: On August 24, Thursday evening, the No. 10 Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lady Lions volleyball team sought to start day one of The San Antonio ShinDig Tournament with a victory over the University of Jamestown Jimmies, the defending NAIA champions.  

The Lady Lions (1-4, 0-0) beat the No. 1 ranked defending champions, the University of Jamestown, in five sets, 31-29, 25-20, 10-25, 13-25, and 15-12. 
 

Lion Review

  • Abby Wells of SAGU came into the match on a roll after three straight matches with double-digit kill totals. In the opening set of their contest with the NAIA's top-ranked club, Wells, and the SAGU attack, they exploded for a 5-0 scoring outburst. 

  • The University of Jamestown would react with a few of their own scores, demonstrating championship resiliency, but Riley Burcham's exquisite passing established an atmosphere for an overpowering Lady Lions onslaught. 

  • In the first set, Jamestown's service faults were a recurring theme, and team captain Emma Tompkins took advantage of each Jimmie miscue. 

  • Bailee Alexander made one of the most ferocious plays of the opening set when she slammed a magnificent kill into the side of the Jamestown opponent with such speed that the defense appeared delirious while attempting to dig the cannonball. 

  • As the Lady Lions attempted to finish the second set and maintain their slim lead, Abby Wells and Karena Tipton's lengthy and muscular play at the net proved paramount. 

  • The University of Jamestown was forced to use a timeout with the score 20-15 in the first set, and as they retreated, they discussed how they would try to slow down Riley Burcham's all-around superb performance. 

  • The University of Jamestown Jimmies once more demonstrate their championship tenacity by tying the game at 22 all. Then, with a crucial kill that abruptly ended Jamestown's scoring spree, Alexandra Bonnett would come through big for the Lady Lions.

  • As the two top 10 rated teams battled through set point 25, the first set would conclude dramatically. The Lady Lions, 31-29, won the barn burner opening set. Riley Burcham, Lindi Boling, and Abby Wells led the Lady Lions in their respective categories after one play set with 11 assists, nine digs, and four kills, respectively. 

  • University of Jamestown was defeated by SAGU, who won the second set 25-20. Alexandra Bonnett consistently delivered for the Lady Lions, and after two sets of play, she had seven kills to take the team lead. 

  • The Lady Lions fell behind Jamestown 6 to 15 and then 8-18 in the third set, their worst deficits of the night. Hank Moore and Nick Moore would encourage their Lady Lions to adapt and modify during a tactical timeout, but the gap was excessive, and the Jimmies averted the three-set sweep.

  • After avoiding the three-set sweep, the Jimmies forced a fifth and deciding set. 

  • The Lady Lions needed Riley Burcham to total a new season-best in digs (14) and Bailee Alexander to match her season-high in kills (11) in order to defeat the University of Jamestown 15-12 in the fifth and final set. Burcham also added 35 assists and two serve-aces. 

  • Lindi Boling led the team with 18 digs defensively and also led the team on the serving side with three serve aces. Abby Wells and Emma Tompkins would each contribute eight kills. 

More from Moore

"SAGU beat a very good team tonight, and everyone stepped up big. We played really well in the first two sets. In set one, we had 18 kills. We had four in set four; it was a match of major ups and downs. I'm very proud that we came back and played so well in set five. Our team looked like a top-10 team at times, but we also really struggled at times. The best thing throughout the entire match was that our kids kept fighting. Our bench was so good tonight. There were stretches of the match that the bench kids carried us. Jamestown is the elite program in the NAIA, and it was a true joy to compete with such classy opponents. They will be a team to watch on the National level," SAGU Head Volleyball Coach Hank Moore said.

The Next Step

Day 2 of the San Antonio ShinDig Tournament on Friday, August 25, will include the Lady Lions' upcoming contests. Carroll College (Mont.) will take on SAGU at 1:00 CT, and Our Lady of the Lake University will take on SAGU at 7:00 CT.

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.

 


 

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