WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College battled nationally ranked Evangel University tonight at Stewart Fieldhouse but fell in straight sets, 25-17, 25-23, 25-22. This loss dropped the Lady Builders to 8-13 overall and 2-5 in KCAC play. Evangel improved to 24-2 overall and remained perfect in the conference at 6-0.

Evangel hit .230 hitting percentage as a team and held off several late Southwestern rallies in the final two sets. The Lady Builders posted a .226 team hitting percentage while staying within striking distance throughout the match, which featured 10 total lead changes.

Freshman outside hitter Ashlyn Tag led Southwestern with 10 kills and a .429 hitting percentage. She also added two service aces and three block assists for a team-high 13.5 points. Senior outside hitter Autumn Bennett finished with nine kills and a .368 hitting mark, while freshaman Mikki Johnson contributed eight kills and hit .300.

 Senior Macey Collier added four kills, two block assists and one solo block. Junior setter Natalie Blaufuss recorded 18 assists and six digs, while senior Reece Likes had 14 assists and an ace. Senior libero Avery Riedel paced the defense with nine digs.

Evangel was led by Viviana Sanchez, who tallied 12 kills and hit .556. Sharayah Seymour added seven kills on a .500 clip, and Cienna Turner finished with seven kills as well. The Valor also produced five service aces and eight team blocks to extend their winning streak.

After taking the first set 25-17, Evangel rallied late in the second to erase a narrow Southwestern lead and win 25-23. The third set was tightly contested, the builders went of a 6-0 run at the third set tying the score at 20 before Evangel closed it to seal the victory.

Southwestern will look to bounce back Saturday, Oct. 18th as they take on nationally ranked MacPherson here at Stewart Fieldhouse. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.