September 13, 2024
Waxahachie, TX – The Nelson University Lady Lions treated fans to a thrilling display of athletic talent, overcoming the College of the Ozarks Bobcats in straight sets (25-16, 25-19, 25-10) during a memorable Friday night Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) showdown. With the pregame excitement from the 2023 SAC Championship ring ceremony still in the air, the Lady Lions seized the moment and defended their home court in front of an energized crowd at the Sheaffer Center.
Lady Lions Review
Right from the opening whistle, Nelson University asserted dominance, with sharp serving and clinical net play. The first set saw Nelson capitalizing on College of the Ozarks' unforced errors, pulling ahead early and riding the momentum to a 25-16 victory. With a hitting percentage of .205, the Lady Lions established their rhythm, with key kills from Bailee Alexander (11 kills) and Lilly Hanna (10 kills), who led the charge.
In the second set, the Bobcats fought back fiercely, trading points and keeping the score tight. Despite a .149 hitting percentage, College of the Ozarks couldn't match the offensive firepower of Nelson. Cassidy Hargesheimer was a critical playmaker
, notching an impressive 21 assists to keep the Lady Lions' attack fluid. With Tessa Glick and Madison Petten serving up three aces collectively, Nelson took the second set 25-19.
Entering the third and final set, the Lady Lions showed no mercy, hitting at an extraordinary .484 percentage, suffocating the Bobcats' hopes of a comeback. Stellar defense, highlighted by Lindi Boling's 17 digs, helped Nelson maintain control. The Bobcats could only manage 10 points in this set as the Lady Lions cruised to a dominant 25-10 finish, sealing their fourth conference win of the season.
Key Stats
- Bailee Alexander led the team with 11 kills and contributed 3 blocks.
- Cassidy Hargesheimer dished out 21 assists, orchestrating a balanced attack.
- Lindi Boling was a defensive stalwart, racking up 17 digs and playing a key role in Nelson's court coverage.
- The team amassed 7 service aces, applying pressure at the service line throughout the match.
- Nelson University outpaced College of the Ozarks in every statistical category, including kills (44-27), digs (71-52), and assists (39-25), highlighting a complete team effort.
Next Up
The Lady Lions (8-4, 4-0 SAC) will have a quick turnaround as they gear up for their next home contest against John Brown University. The match is set for Saturday, Sep 14, at 1:00 PM at the Sheaffer Center in Waxahachie, TX.
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
