November 15, 2024

Fort Worth, TX – In a match that epitomized postseason volleyball, the No. 1 seed Nelson University Lady Lions battled through five grueling sets to overcome No. 5 seed Oklahoma City University in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Tournament Semifinals on Friday afternoon at Texas Wesleyan University.  

The Lady Lions, backed by their resilient defense and timely offensive heroics, emerged victorious with a nail-biting 3-2 victory (25-23, 25-22, 24-26, 18-25, 15-12) in front of an electric crowd. The win punched their ticket to the SAC Tournament Championship, where they will face the winner of John Brown University and Texas Wesleyan University on Saturday at 1 PM.  

The match opened with Nelson University flexing their top-seed dominance, claiming the first two sets with poise. Bailee Alexander spearheaded the offense with 13 kills and a .242 hitting percentage, while Alexandra Bonnett added 12 kills and Mackenzie Smith contributed 11, showcasing the team's depth.  

The defensive performance was equally remarkable, led by Cassidy Hargesheimer with 23 assists and 15 critical digs, anchoring the backcourt during Oklahoma City's offensive surges. Samantha Moore added three service aces, demonstrating the Lady Lions' ability to generate points from all areas of the court.  

However, Oklahoma City was far from a pushover. Facing elimination, the Stars stormed back, capturing the third and fourth sets behind their sharp .296 hitting percentage. The fourth set saw Nelson University stumble as OCU's relentless attack forced errors and tested the Lady Lions' resilience.  

With a spot in the championship on the line, the fifth set proved to be a heart-stopper. Nelson University relied on their experience and composure in the high-stakes moments. Dig after dig and block after block, the Lady Lions clawed their way to a narrow 15-12 triumph, with a crucial final kill by Lilly Hanna sealing the win.  

As the dust settled, the Lady Lions tallied 56 kills, 53 assists, and 77 digs, reflecting their all-around determination to stay atop the SAC.  
 

What's Next?
The Lady Lions now set their sights on the SAC Tournament Championship, where they aim to add to their stellar season by claiming the tournament conference title. They will face the winner of John Brown University and Texas Wesleyan University on Saturday at 1 PM, with hopes of bringing home another piece of hardware to Nelson University.  

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.