FORT WORTH, Texas | Nov. 15, 2025 — On the biggest stage of the season, with the Sooner Athletic Conference trophy sitting courtside and two conference giants colliding for the crown, the Nelson University Lady Lions delivered a five-set instant classic worthy of championship lore. In a match filled with momentum swings, soaring emotion, and the unmistakable grit that has defined this team all year, Nelson outlasted Texas Wesleyan 3–2 inside the electric Sid Richardson Center. 

From the first whistle, it felt different. It felt like a title match.

Nelson opened by punching first, taking Set 1 behind sharp swings from the pins and a defense that refused to let anything fall clean. The Lions claimed the opening frame 25–20, showcasing crisp ball control and a balanced attack that immediately put Texas Wesleyan on its heels.

Sets 2 and 3 flipped the script. The Rams responded behind their physical front line, pulling out two tightly contested sets (25–21, 25–21) despite Nelson forcing 13 combined tie scores across the frames. The Lady Lions didn't fold—they absorbed the blows, regrouped, and prepared for the championship push.

With their backs to the wall, the Lady Lions turned to the identity that carried them all season: poise, power, and unshakeable belief.

Nelson's resurgence in Set 4 was emphatic. The Lions stormed out with renewed energy, finding huge production from their middle attack and a defensive rotation that flew around the court with fearless determination. A gritty 25–21 win forced the decisive fifth set and the building shook with every rally.

Set 5 was volleyball chaos in all the best ways. Long rallies, diving saves, and enough momentum swings to rattle a scoreboard.

Texas Wesleyan led early.

Nelson climbed back.

The crowd rose to its feet.

And when the Lions found their rhythm behind clutch swings from the right side and back-row defense that simply refused to break, Nelson pounced. A late scoring burst closed the door, securing the championship with an 18–16 finish that cemented the match as one of the greatest in program history.

Stat leaders and defining moments

• Alexandra Bonnett delivered a dominant 15-kill performance (.282) with 10 digs, stepping up as a dependable go-to attacker when the pressure peaked.

• Mackenzie Smith powered through 14 kills and anchored the net with a team-high 5 blocks, shaping the match at the net.

• Addison Standley added 10 kills on 38 swings, finding timely points throughout the night.

• Cassidy Hargesheimer orchestrated the offense with 25 assists, while Taylor Cavazos chipped in 18 more and served with fearless aggression.

• Chloe Muñoz was outstanding defensively, recording 19 digs, while Hope Jones tallied 12 more in a relentless back-court display.

• The Lady Lions totaled 79 digs and 26 block assists, a defensive performance that kept them in the match every step of the way.

The storyline of the match mirrored the storyline of Nelson's season. Big moments, big opponents, big responses.

They battled through adversity. They trusted each other. They closed when it mattered most.

And now, the Nelson University Lady Lions stand at the top of the SAC as tournament champions, holding the trophy that represents a season of work, sacrifice, and championship-standard volleyball.

Next Up: The National Stage Awaits

The Lady Lions now shift their focus to the NAIA National Championship Tournament Opening Round, where they will represent the SAC as one of the nation's most battle-tested programs.

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-NELSON.