John Brown fended off Oklahoma City University to move onto the Sooner Athletic Conference volleyball tournament semifinals with a five-set quarterfinal win Tuesday at Bill George Arena in Siloam Springs, Ark.
Southwestern Assemblies of God, ranked eighth in the NAIA, remained undefeated on the season to reach the SAC Tournament semifinals. Southwestern Assemblies of God meets Mid-America Christian at 4 p.m., while John Brown faces 23rd-ranked Texas Wesleyan at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Sheaffer Center in Waxahachie, Texas.
John Brown def. Oklahoma City, 3-2
SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – In the fifth and decisive set, the Golden Eagles (22-8) scored the first five points of the set and four of the last five points to close out the win. Savannah Riney nailed two kills to spark John Brown early in the set. Taylor Golmen's kill sealed the outcome after Golmen teamed with Madeline Nolan on a block.
In the fourth set, Oklahoma City closed the set with five points in a row as Hannah Grundy pounded a kill to force the fifth set.
In the second set, John Brown erased a 20-10 deficit. John Brown stormed back with a 14-3 run with Nolan hammering a kill to put the Golden Eagles ahead 24-23. Ellie Lampton, Callie Mullins and Nolan smacked three kills in a row to complete the Golden Eagles rally.
Riney totaled 16 kills and seven digs, while Jillian Blackman picked up 23 digs. Ruby Kelley supplied the Stars with 14 kills, eight digs and six blocks.
Southwestern Assemblies of God def. Science & Arts, 3-0
WAXAHACHIE, Texas – Southwestern Assemblies of God knocked off Science & Arts 25-18, 26-24, 25-7 on Tuesday at the Sheaffer Center.
In the second set, Emma Tompkins came through for the Lady Lions (30-0) by teaming with Riley Burcham on a block and delivering a solo block to break a 24-24 tie.
Southwestern Assemblies of God reeled off a 9-0 run to move ahead 20-6 in the third set. Tompkins paced Southwestern Assemblies with 12 kills, while Burcham dished out 32 assists.
Texas Wesleyan def. Wayland Baptist, 3-1
FORT WORTH, Texas – Texas Wesleyan eliminated Wayland Baptist from the tournament 25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 25-11 on Tuesday at the Sid Richardson Center.
In set No. 2, the score was tied 9-9, but Texas Wesleyan scored seven in a row to take control. The Lady Rams came out in the fourth and went up 9-1 on Andrea Malek's ace.
Ruby O'Brien propelled Texas Wesleyan (25-4) with 54 assists and 14 digs, while Kendal King pounded 16 kills. Each team had three players with double-digit kills with Wayland Baptist led by Chante Moore with 12.
Mid-America Christian def. Panhandle State, 3-0
OKLAHOMA CITY – Mid-America Christian dispatched of Panhandle State 25-12, 25-22, 27-25 for Mid-America's first SAC volleyball tournament win Tuesday at the Gaulke Activity Center.
The Evangels (19-13) rolled to an early 22-7 advantage. Vanessa Moreira came together with Cloie Mitchell and Casady McKinney on consecutive blocks, and Faith Foutch posted an ace.
Lena Stockhammer led Mid-America Christian with 16 kills, and McKinney piled up 37 assists and 11 digs. Angela Youngs supplied Panhandle with 10 kills.