No. 14 MVNU Takes Down (RV) Rio Grande in First Home Match

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The No. 14 Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's volleyball team played its first home match of the season in Ariel Arena against the (RV) Rio Grande Red Storm on Wednesday, August 27.  

The Lady Cougars started strong, taking the first set over Rio Grande by a score of 25-10. MVNU continued its strong play in the second set and would go on to win 25-17. Rio Grande fought back in the third and held off an MVNU rally late to secure its first set victory of the night by a score of 26-24. Set four was a hard-fought battle. The Red Storm controlled the first half, jumping out to a 15-8 lead. MVNU stayed together and stormed back, eventually finding a way to take the lead and win by a final of 27-25 to secure the match. 

Lilla Nicholas came up big for the Lady Cougars with 15 kills on the night. Faith Maloney and Libby Evanshine each added 12 kills, while Evelyn Brown added 11 kills and five blocks. Jaelyn Tang led MVNU with 18 digs. Reagan Nuss finished the match with 36 assists, 17 digs, and two blocks. 

What's Next: 

MVNU plays in the AMF Memorial Tournament, hosted by Taylor University in Upland, Indiana on August 29-30. MVNU starts the tournament with Campbellsville (Kentucky) at 1:30 p.m. 

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 33 states and 26 foreign countries.