Women's Volleyball Secures Second Straight Sioux City Berth with Opening Round Win Over Lindsey Wilson

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The No. 14 Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's volleyball team (30-4) secured a return trip to Sioux City, Iowa, for the second consecutive year with a victory over the (RV) Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders (27-9) on Saturday, November 23, in Ariel Arena.

The first set was a tight back-and-forth battle between the Lady Cougars and the Blue Raiders. After MVNU took a 19-18 lead, Lindsey Wilson answered with a six-point run. MVNU responded with a three-point swing, but it wasn't enough, as it ultimately lost the set 22-25.

In set two, the Lady Cougars quickly surged ahead with a 5-1 lead. The Blue Raiders responded with a strong attack, eventually taking the lead at 10-8. However, MVNU shifted momentum with a six-point swing, prompting Lindsey Wilson to call a timeout with MVNU leading 14-10. MVNU extended its advantage to 21-15, but the Blue Raiders fought back to narrow the score to 21-18. In the end, MVNU closed out the set with a 25-21 victory.

MVNU won set three 25-18. The Blue Raiders were leading 10-9, but the Lady Cougars quickly took control, scoring four consecutive points, causing Lindsey Wilson to call a timeout. MVNU maintained its momentum throughout the set to secure the third set.

In the fourth set, the Lady Cougars quickly took a 5-1 lead. The Blue Raiders fought back, eventually gaining a 16-15 advantage, prompting an MVNU timeout. After the break, Lyssi Snouffer scored two straight points for the Lady Cougars, putting them back in the lead at 17-16. The teams then went back and forth, trading points with little runs until the other team responded. With the score at 24-23 in favor of MVNU, Faith Maloney delivered the final attack, securing the win and sending MVNU to Sioux City, Iowa.

Top Performers:

Reagan Nuss – 39 assists, 16 digs, and 7 kills.

Snouffer – 22 digs, 20 kills, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 service ace.

Jaelyn Tang – 20 digs, 3 service aces, and 3 assists.

Maloney – 10 kills, 3 blocks, and 1 dig.

Libby Evanshine – 7 kills and 4 digs.

Brooke Fatzinger – 6 kills and 4 blocks.

What's Next:

MVNU is headed to the final site for the National Tournament for a second straight season, scheduled for December 4-10 in Sioux City, Iowa, as part of the 45th Annual NAIA Volleyball National Championship. The information of the final site pools will be determined on Sunday, November 24, and released by 1 p.m. EST.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,100 students from 22 states and 21 foreign countries.