September 16, 2023

Siloam Springs, Ark – The No. 23 Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lady Lions volleyball team delivered an electrifying performance Saturday afternoon as they clashed with the John Brown University (JBU) Golden Eagles at the Bill George Arena in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. After a remarkable streak of six consecutive three-set sweep victories, the Lady Lions found themselves in a nail-biting fifth set showdown, ultimately securing the win with a final score of 17-15.
 

Lions Review
The evening started with a highly competitive first set, which saw the Lady Lions narrowly falling to the Golden Eagles with a score of 25-23. However, the team quickly regrouped and bounced back with an outstanding display of teamwork and determination. They dominated the second set with a resounding 25-14 victory, preparing to set the tone for the remainder of the match.

In sets three, the Lady Lions continued their impressive performance, claiming a 25-18 victory, but the momentum would again swing in favor of the JBU home team. The Golden Eagle crowd was treated to exceptional plays, intense rallies, and remarkable defensive efforts from both sides.

The final set was an epic battle where nerves of steel were required. With the game on the line, the Lady Lions summoned their inner strength and secured the win with a score of 17-15, showcasing their ability to thrive under pressure after trailing by five points.

Major contributors to this thrilling victory included Mackenzie Smith and Abby Wells, who both delivered 12 kills each, while Bailee Alexander added 10 kills to the mix. Riley Burcham displayed remarkable precision with a .667 hitting percentage and led the Lady Lions with an impressive 26 assists. Cassidy Hargesheimer also played a pivotal role with 17 assists of her own, for the freshman was no slouch in the playmaking department.

On the defensive front, Esther Holtzclaw was a force to be reckoned with, tallying an impressive six blocks during the match, a season-best performance that showcased her prowess at the net. Tessa Glick provided crucial digs throughout the game, totaling a game-high 24 digs to ensure that any JBU swings that got past the SAGU net protection were swiftly countered.

"Congratulations to our kids on a hard fought win. Riley Burcham played a great match. She and Tessa Glick did a masterful job of leading our team today. Cassidy had another double double with 18 assists and 15 digs. Riley had 26 assists, 13 digs and a huge six kills. Karena had 11 kills and hit .474 with five assist blocks. Again, a great team win for our kids. JBU has a great team," said SAGU Head Volleyball Coach Hank Moore.

The Next Step
This hard-fought victory on the road was an exciting test for the Lady Lions, and as they look ahead, the team is poised to continue building on their road resume as they prepare for their upcoming match on September 19th (Tuesday) at 6:00 PM. They will face off against the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) preseason poll No. 2, Texas Wesleyan University, in Fort Worth, Texas. 

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.