TYLER, Texas – Southern Nazarene Volleyball adds two more wins to their record after snatching both games from St. Edwards (3-2) and Fort Lewis (3-1), finishing the tournament 3-1.
 
After splitting the matches from Day 1, the Storm were due for back-to-back victories, pulling through a tough five-set battle with St. Edwards to then turn around and stump Fort Lewis in four sets.
 
After dropping their five-set battle to UT Tyler the day before, the Storm (3-1, 0-0 GAC) pulled through in their next match, showing up big on defense as the Hilltoppers (0-3, 0-0 LSC) committed 35 errors in the match. SEU gave SNU a scare with back-to-back set wins, but SNU handled business in the final two sets to secure their first win of the day.
 
It was a tale of two final sets as Southern Nazarene ended a 1-1 tie with Fort Lewis in their next match with two consecutive set victories. Scoring runs in both sets allowed SNU to run away from the Skyhaws (1-3, 0-0 RMAC), with SNU's most coming from the fourth and final set (9-0 run).
 
Game 1
 
SNU was in search of a bounce-back win, falling short in five sets to UT Tyler the day prior. The Storm began to work early on, breaking out for an early 6-0 scoring run that paved the way the rest of the set. SNU led the entire match but the Hilltoppers came close late, coming within just a single point at 23-22. Back-to-back kills from Sunny Batschelett erased the scare and put SNU ahead 1-0.
 
SEU made some adjustments after the break and answered nearly every scoring streak dished from the SNU. Consecutive points gave SNU the lead cushion they needed to stay ahead for most of the match, until the Hilltoppers outscored the Storm 7-3 at the midpoint, bringing the set within one. Consecutive defensive stops from both teams made it down to the wire, but SEU's late performance tied the match at 1-1.
 
SEU carried over their fire into the third set, staying ahead of SNU by as many as six early on. The Storm defense kept them in line for a comeback, but a string of kills gave the third set to SEU and put them in front 2-1.
 
SNU stole the fourth set, powered by an early 7-0 scoring boost. SEU would not back down, tying the game at 17 all. Kills from Batschelett, Ashely Finch, and Tessa Henry sent SNU in winning territory and the match was tied at 2-2.
 
In the final set, as SEU scored one or two points, SNU answered with three, putting them out in front for the entirety of the match. Consecutive scoring strikes in the final possessions kept SNU in good standing and the Storm claimed their second victory of the tournament with a 3-2 takedown of the Hilltoppers.
 
 
 
Game 2
 
The Storm turned around and handled business in their final match of the Patriot Classic against Fort Lewis. The Skyhawks battled with SNU right from opening serve, holding the largest lead of that set at four early. That gap closed to just a single point the rest of the match until kills from Batschelett and Whitney Bowie along with three huge service aces from Breckynn Myers earned SNU the set one win.
 
Fort Lewis flipped a switch in the second set, stumping the Storm late to tie that match at 1-1. Behind 21-18, SNU never recovered and a 4-0 streak by the Skyhawks gave them the 25-18 win.
 
It was all SNU in the final two sets as the Storm broke out with numerous scoring runs that put victory in sight. In the third set, a 6-0 run and a 5-0 run were no match for an SEU comeback and SNU quickly jumped ahead 2-1.
 
Their dominance shined in the fourth set after stealing the lead to outscore the Skyhawks 10-1 midway through the set. Leading by eight, SNU's win was in sight and a service error followed by a Tessa Henry kill sealed the match win for the Storm at 25-17 (3-1).
 
Freshman Rayanna Mauldin led with 13 kills. Batschelett added nine with four blocks.
 
Up Next
 
Southern Nazarene returns to Bethany on Tuesday, September 5^th for the home opener against Central Oklahoma at 6 p.m. SNU has only recorded two wins against the Bronchos since their first meeting in 2011. Last season, the Storm dropped the match to UCO 3-1 in Edmond.