In an intense volleyball showdown at the Mathena Student Center on October 22, 2024, Spurgeon College (10-12) engaged in a hard-fought five-set match against Ozark Christian College (9-11). Despite pushing their opponents to the limit and winning two sets, the Knights ultimately fell in a compelling contest (11-25, 25-23, 25-17, 21-25, 12-15).

Match Highlights

The match was a tale of resilience and momentum shifts:

1. First Set (11-25): Ozark Christian started strong
2. Second Set (25-23): Knights bounced back with a crucial win
3. Third Set (25-17): Spurgeon maintained momentum with dominant play
4. Fourth Set (21-25): Ozark Christian forced a decisive fifth set
5. Fifth Set (12-15): Knights fought hard but fell just short

Standout Performances

Multiple Knights delivered strong performances throughout the match:

1. Lizzie Deaton: Led the offense with 11 kills and added 12 digs and 3 blocks
2. Timry Goodman: Orchestrated the offense with 32 assists while contributing 3 aces and 3 blocks
3. Janie Wilson: Added 9 kills to the offensive effort
4. Josephine Dull: Contributed 8 kills
5. Madison Moyer: Led the blocking effort with 4 blocks
6. Faith Simmons: Anchored the defense with 18 digs
7. Lydia Swartz: Served aggressively with 4 aces and added 11 digs

Key Statistics

The match statistics highlight how evenly contested this battle was:

• Points: Spurgeon College actually outscored Ozark Christian 63-62 in total points
• Kills: Knights recorded 41 kills to Ozark's 48
• Aces: Dominated the service game with 14 aces compared to Ozark's 7
• Blocks: Edged out Ozark in blocking 8-7
• Digs: Demonstrated strong defense with 64 digs

Team Efficiency

The Knights showed impressive hitting efficiency at key moments:

• Set 2: .000
• Set 3: .143
• Set 4: .103 Overall team hitting percentage: .037

Match Flow

The Knights demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the match, particularly in their response after dropping the first set. Their ability to win the next two sets showcased their mental toughness and adaptability. The team's serving prowess was evident throughout, with their 14 aces keeping constant pressure on Ozark Christian's defense.

Looking Ahead

Despite the loss, this match highlighted several strengths for the Knights:

1. Strong service game
2. Balanced offensive attack
3. Solid blocking presence
4. Ability to respond to adversity

Fan Support

The fans in attendance witnessed an exciting display of volleyball, with both teams showcasing high-level play throughout all five sets. The Knights appreciate the continued support of their faithful fans who help create an energetic atmosphere at the Mathena Student Center.