Eagles Split MCCC Matches; Fall to Arlington Baptist

The Eagle volleyball team has had up and down experiences throughout the 2016 campaign.  Like many teams, consistency has been hard to find regardless of the opponent.  The Eagles found themselves defeating Calvary University on Friday in an important conference match 3-0 and less than 24 hours later being on the end of a loss to Ozark Christian College 3-1.

"We have not been able to put together strong back to back matches in October.  At times it is a lack of hitting and then the next night defense.  This weekend we had strong all around play at Calvary and absolutely no team accomplishments against Ozark.  We have to correct our approach this week in practice and find solutions or we will find ourselves out of the championship run at the MCCC tournament this coming weekend." noted coach Lanny Nihart.

Faith started the match against Calvary University with the first point being an over set kill by senior Alyssa Larson.  The Eagles built the lead to 15-3 before the Warriors made a short run.  Faith ultimately captured the win at 25-11.  The second set was much like the first with the Eagles in command and winning 25-18 and a season high .346 attack percent. In set three, the Warriors led throughout the first part by scores of 9-6 and 14-12.  Faith behind match leader Alyssa Larson's 12 kills and .440 attack % took the lead at 16-15 and never looked back in a 25-18 lead.  Sophomore Samantha Betz added 5 kills and 2 solo blocks and 3 assist blocks.  Emilie Morton provided 25 assists while libero Cara Hodak garnered 18 digs. 

Faith traveled to Joplin, Missouri for a triangular with the first being a match against conference foe and host Ozark Christian College.  The Eagles struggled from the first set to the last. After losing 25-15 in set one, the Eagles reflected their season and won set two 25-14.  However, like their season sets 3 and 4 had no consistent offensive attack and turnovers.  In set three Faith tied the score at 19-19.  After a timeout by Ozark the Eagles committed a serve receive error and another hitting error to go down 21-19.  Faith made one more push to 21-20 but ultimately losing 25-21.  Set four found the Eagles ahead most of the match only to fall behind 19-18 and losing 25-19. 

The Eagles had to quickly turn around and play nationally ranked Arlington Baptist.  Faith was never in the contest losing sets one and two by the scores of 25-11 and 25-12. Set three had the Eagles competitive but on the losing end of a 25-21 score.  "There wasn't much to say about the Arlington Baptist match.  We were over manned and under prepared.  I need to get the team better prepared.  Hopefully, with a few days of practice we can turn our results around and find ourselves redeemed during the upcoming conference tournament at Manhattan Christian College," noted Nihart.

Faith will enter the tournament as the #3 seed.