August 23, 2024

San Antonio, TX – The Nelson University Lady Lions Volleyball team showcased their resilience and competitive spirit as they kicked off their 2024 season at the Alamo City Volleyesta Tournament. Facing strong opponents in Cumberland University (Tenn.) and Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU), the Lady Lions emerged with a hard-fought win in their first match before battling through a tough loss in the afternoon.
 

Game 1: Nelson University vs. Cumberland University
In their season opener, the Lady Lions took to the court with determination, eager to set the tone for the year. The match was a back-and-forth battle, but Nelson University displayed composure and skill under pressure, ultimately defeating Cumberland University in four sets.
 

Match Details

• Set 1: Nelson University came out strong, with Alexandra Bonnett leading the charge with her powerful kills. The Lady Lions recorded 12 kills with a .375 attack percentage, setting the pace early on and taking the set despite Cumberland's challenge.

• Set 2: Cumberland tightened their defense, but Lilly Hanna and Bailee Alexander kept Nelson in the fight with timely kills. The Lady Lions managed to secure 9 kills, though their attack percentage dipped to .208 due to increased pressure from Cumberland's blockers.

• Set 3: The third set was a nail-biter as Cumberland pushed hard, but Samantha Moore and Ashlyn Hill stepped up defensively with crucial blocks. Although Nelson's attack percentage was only .233, their defensive plays kept them competitive, even as Cumberland outperformed with 17 kills.

• Set 4: The Lady Lions showed their resilience in the final set, with Bonnett and Lilly Hanna once again delivering key plays. Nelson's attack percentage rebounded to .333, as the team capitalized on Cumberland's errors and secured the set and the match with a well-earned 11 kills.

Team Comparison

• Points: Nelson 62.0 - Cumberland 63.0

• Kills: Nelson 41 - Cumberland 52

• Aces: Nelson 12 - Cumberland 9

• Blocks: Nelson 9 - Cumberland 2

• Assists: Nelson 36 - Cumberland 48

• Digs: Nelson 31 - Cumberland 47
   

Game Leaders

• Kills: Alexandra Bonnett (11), Lilly Hanna (9), Bailee Alexander (8) – Bonnett's relentless attacks set the tone early, but it was Hanna's steady performance throughout that kept Nelson competitive. Alexander added to the firepower with her clutch kills, especially in critical moments.

• Aces: Lindi Boling (4), Taylor Cavazos (4), Tessa Glick (2) – Boling and Cavazos were serving up success, with Glick adding the final touches to keep the momentum in Nelson's favor. Their combined effort at the service line rattled Cumberland's defense, keeping them on their toes.

• Blocks: Lilly Hanna (5.0), Samantha Moore (4.0), Ashlyn Hill (3.0) – Hanna was a wall at the net, leading the team in blocks. Moore and Hill provided crucial support, forming an impenetrable frontline that stifled Cumberland's attackers.

• Assists: Cassidy Hargesheimer (17), Taylor Cavazos (14), Lindi Boling (2) – Hargesheimer masterfully orchestrated the offense, dishing out 17 assists with precision. Cavazos was right behind, feeding the hitters with confidence, while Boling chipped in with her court vision.

• Digs: Tessa Glick (10), Cassidy Hargesheimer (6), Lindi Boling (5) – Glick was the anchor in the backcourt, digging up everything that came her way. Hargesheimer and Lindi Boling provided the extra defensive support, making sure no ball hit the floor without a fight.

Game 2: Nelson University vs. Our Lady of the Lake University
The Lady Lions faced a tough challenge in their second match of the day, taking on the tournament hosts, Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU). Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Nelson struggled to maintain consistency against a formidable OLLU squad.
 

Match Details

• Set 1: Lilly Hanna continued her stellar performance from the morning match, leading the Lady Lions with 13 kills. Despite a solid .265 attack percentage, OLLU's defense proved difficult to overcome, and Nelson narrowly won the set.

• Set 2: The Lady Lions fought hard with Mackenzie Smith and Ashlyn Hill contributing crucial plays. However, increased errors led to a .194 attack percentage, and OLLU capitalized on Nelson's mistakes to take the set.

• Set 3: The third set was a tough one for Nelson, with the team struggling to find rhythm. Samantha Moore did her best to rally the squad, but a negative attack percentage of -.043 reflected the challenges faced by the Lady Lions, who were outmatched by OLLU's strong performance.

• Set 4: In the final set, Bailee Alexander and Tessa Glick worked hard to keep Nelson in the game, but the team's attack percentage dropped to -.034, and OLLU closed out the match despite a valiant effort from the Lady Lions.

Game Leaders

• Kills: Lilly Hanna (10), Mackenzie Smith (5), Samantha Moore (4) – Hanna fought hard, adding another double-digit kill performance to her day, proving to be a consistent threat on the court. Smith and Moore pitched in with key kills, though the team struggled against OLLU's defense.

• Aces: Taylor Cavazos (2), Lindi Boling (1) – Cavazos delivered under pressure, serving two crucial aces in a tight match. Boling added one more, but the Lady Lions couldn't fully capitalize on their service game.

• Blocks: Lilly Hanna (1 solo, 1 block assist), Mackenzie Smith (1 solo, 2 block assists) – Hanna continued to shine at the net, and Smith joined in to make a strong defensive duo, trying to counter OLLU's potent attack.

• Assists: Cassidy Hargesheimer (21), Taylor Cavazos (11) – Hargesheimer once again led the offense, showcasing her ability to set up her teammates in challenging situations. Cavazos played a critical supporting role, helping the Lady Lions stay in the fight.

• Digs: Tessa Glick (20), Ashlyn Hill (8) – Glick was an absolute force in the backcourt, nearly doubling her dig total from the first match, covering the floor with determination. Hill also contributed, ensuring the Lady Lions remained competitive on defense.
   

Reflecting on the day's results, Head Coach Hank Moore shared his thoughts on the team's performance:

"This morning we beat a very good Cumberland University team in four sets. Then we were beat by a very good Our Lady of the Lake team 1-3. We were outplayed in the match by Our Lady of the Lake. Losing is never fun, but this will give us a lot to learn from. Being undefeated has never been our goal. Growth remains to be in the middle of everything we are doing. We have a lot of growth to make."

Looking Ahead
The Lady Lions aren't done yet—they'll be back in action on Saturday, August 24, for day two of the Alamo City Volleyesta Tournament. They'll face Eastern Oregon University at 10:00 AM, followed by Huston Tillotson University at 3:00 PM. The team is eager to bounce back and close out the tournament on a high note.

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.