Strong Season Ends for No. 11 Lady Cougars against No. 6 Providence

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The No. 11 Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's volleyball team (27-9) saw its season end with a loss to No. 6 Providence (MT) (34-2) in pool play of the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center on Friday, September 5.

Providence entered the match with a win in pool play under its belt already as it swept the College of Idaho earlier in the week. MVNU battled with the top seed in its pool, jumping out to an 8-5 lead. Things remained tight throughout the first set as each team battled for control. The Argos took a 24-21 lead, but MVNU scored three straight points to tie the match up. Morgan Schlabach then gave the Lady Cougars a 26-25 lead with a kill, assisted by Reagan Nuss. The Argos finished strong, scoring the last three points of the set, winning it by a score of 28-26.

MVNU started strong in set two, jumping out to a 6-1 lead. MVNU controlled most of the set and held a 20-18 lead late. The Argos then scored the next three points, taking a 21-20 lead. Providence took set two by a final of 25-22. The Lady Cougars continued to battle the Argos in set three, but a mid-set surge from Providence put it in control for good. MVNU fell in set three 20-25.

Libby Evanshine had 13 kills, four digs and a block. Faith Maloney added 10 kills and Evelyn Brown had nine. Jaelyn Tang anchored the back row with 20 digs. Reagan Nuss had 39 assists, 14 digs and one kill to cap off her phenomenal career for the Lady Cougars.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, 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 2,200 students from 36 states, 1 U.S. commonwealth and 41 foreign countries.