October 29, 2024

Fort Worth, TX – The Nelson University Lady Lions volleyball team delivered a clutch performance on Tuesday night, defeating Texas Wesleyan 3-1 in Fort Worth, Texas, to secure a share of the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Regular Season Championship. With four games left in the regular season, the Lady Lions now have a golden opportunity to clinch the outright SAC title on Friday night at home, where they will face Langston University in front of their home crowd on senior night.
 

Lady Lions Review
The Lady Lions entered the matchup with Texas Wesleyan knowing a win would keep them in contention for the full SAC title. They immediately set the tone with a strong 25-21 victory in the opening set, showcasing their offensive firepower led by Bailee Alexander and Mackenzie Smith. Alexander tallied a team-high 10 kills, while Smith added 9, as the Lady Lions' well-coordinated attacks kept Texas Wesleyan on their heels. Defensively, Nelson stifled the Rams, holding them to a low .033 hitting percentage in the first set.

After Texas Wesleyan bounced back in the second set with a 25-14 win, the Lady Lions regrouped, demonstrating their resilience. In a closely contested third set, Nelson emerged victorious with a nail-biting 27-25 finish. This pivotal set win shifted the momentum firmly in their favor, putting them one set away from the match.

The Lady Lions took control in the fourth set, closing out the match with a 25-19 victory. Caroline Boone contributed 9 kills and a block, while Lilly Hanna made her mark on defense with 8 blocks. Nelson's defense, led by Tessa Glick's 17 digs, played a crucial role in keeping Texas Wesleyan from finding a rhythm. With 71 total digs, the Lady Lions showcased their relentless defensive pressure, supported by outstanding efforts from Cassidy Hargesheimer and Taylor Cavazos, who combined for 31 assists.

Lindi Boling's three aces added extra pressure on Texas Wesleyan's back row, further tipping the scales in Nelson's favor. The Lady Lions' balanced performance across all areas of play was key in their triumph over Texas Wesleyan.
 

Next Up
The Lady Lions will return to the Lions Athletic Complex on Friday, November 1, for a thrilling senior night matchup against Langston University at 7:00 PM. With a win, Nelson University can claim the outright SAC Regular Season Championship title, marking another historic achievement for the program.

Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU