WAXACHIE, Texas – Southwestern Assemblies of God secured its second consecutive Sooner Athletic Conference volleyball tournament title with a 25-15, 25-18, 20-25, 25-17 victory over Texas Wesleyan on Saturday at the Sheaffer Center.
Southwestern Assemblies of God, ranked seventh in the NAIA, remained undefeated on the season, moving to 32-0. Emma Tompkins of the Lady Lions took conference tournament most valuable player.
Tompkins, a senior middle blocker from Hemptstead, Texas, supplied Southwestern Assemblies of God with 20 kills and three blocks in the title match. Over the past week, Tompkins produced 4.10 kills, 1.00 blocks and 0.30 aces per set with a .370 hitting percentage.
Karena Tipton of the Lady Lions also snared all-tournament acclaim. Tipton, a sophomore from Midlothian, Texas, provided Southwestern Assemblies of God with 14 kills and three blocks Saturday and 2.56 kills and 1.11 blocks a set with a .432 hitting percentage throughout the tournament.
Southwestern Assemblies of God had already assured itself of a bid into the NAIA Championships by taking the SAC regular-season crown. Southwestern Assemblies of God will host an NAIA Championship Opening Round contest Nov. 19 at the Sheaffer Center.
"Winning the regular-season championship and the conference championship means a great deal for our program," Southwestern Assemblies of God coach Hank Moore said. "Hats off to the Texas Wesleyan team, they played hard today and this weekend secured the second automatic qualifying spot for our conference. I am very happy for their program. The SAC will be represented well. Congratulations to all our players on a 32-0 record as we head into the NAIA National tournament. This team has stayed together and accomplished so much. All I can say is I could not be more proud of our entire team. Praise the Lord for allowing me this opportunity to serve as the head coach at such a great university."
Riley Burcham, a junior from Georgetown, Texas, delivered 55 assists and seven digs, while Tessa Glick, a sophomore from Fort Worth, Texas, tracked down 36 digs for the Lady Lions. Ava Myers and Abby Wells each totaled 10 kills for Southwestern Assemblies of God.
Ruby O'Brien, a sophomore from San Antonio, turned in 30 assists, 11 digs and two aces for Texas Wesleyan (26-5). Andrea Malek, a junior from Euless, Texas, scooped up 36 digs. Malek and O'Brien became all-tournament choices for the Lady Rams.
In the first set, Southwestern Assemblies of God reeled off an 8-0 run to move ahead 23-13. Wells knocked down a kill to cap the Lady Lions' surge. Tompkins had a kill that gave the Lady Lions a 17-8 second-set lead.
All-Tournament Team
Taylor Golmen, John Brown; Andrea Malek, Texas Wesleyan; Ruby O'Brien, Texas Wesleyan; Lena Stockhammer, Mid-America Christian; Karena Tipton, SW Assemblies of God.
Most valuable player: Emma Tompkins, SW Assemblies of God.