September 19, 2023

Fort Worth, TX – In a highly anticipated showdown on Tuesday evening, the No. 23 Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lady Lions volleyball team embarked on a short journey to the neighboring city to face off against their arch-rivals, the No. 19 Texas Wesleyan University (TWU) Lady Rams. The stakes were high as both teams entered the contest undefeated in Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) matches, setting the stage for a clash that would put an end to one team's impressive winning streak.

These two fierce rivals had a history of fierce competition, with their most recent meeting occurring in the 2022 SAC Conference Championship game, where the Lady Lions triumphed in four sets. However, this time, the tides of fate favored TWU as they defeated SAGU in four hard-fought sets. The Lady Lions' loss not only marked a tough defeat but also marked the conclusion of an impressive 32-game conference match winning streak. Their last conference defeat came at the hands of Texas Wesleyan University on November 2, 2021.

Lions Review 
Throughout the match, the Lady Lions encountered challenges with their hitting percentage while playing on the road in the Sid Richardson Center, finishing with a .143 hit percentage. Despite the adversity, Lilly Hanna and Emma Tompkins emerged as offensive leaders for SAGU, each contributing seven kills to the team's efforts. Abby Wells and Mackenzie Smith also made valuable contributions, tallying six kills each.

Defensively, the Lady Lions found strong performers in Tessa Glick, who displayed remarkable prowess with a total of 17 digs, and Cassidy Hargesheimer, who contributed seven digs. Cassidy Hargesheimer's performance wasn't limited to her defensive skills; she also showcased her playmaking ability with 14 marvelous passes, closely trailing Riley Burcham's team-high 20 assists.

Head SAGU volleyball coach Hank Moore offered his perspective on what was undeniably a challenging night for the Lady Lions.

"This was a tough night for our team. TWU came out hot and never cooled off. They have a great team. We were definitely not a challenge for them tonight. That is one of the best TWU teams we have seen in many years," Coach Moore remarked.

Despite the adversity faced by the Lady Lions, Coach Moore's remarks reflect a resilient spirit, emphasizing the importance of learning from this experience and moving forward. It's clear that this setback will serve as a valuable opportunity for growth and improvement.

The Next Step
While the loss to TWU was undoubtedly a setback, the Lady Lions now look ahead to their next challenge in SAC road play. On September 22, 2023, at 7:00 PM, they will take on Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Oklahoma.

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.