BETHANY, Okla. - The Crimson Storm made their 2024 Sawyer Center debut as they took on the Lions of Arkansas-Fort Smith to open up the SNU/UCO Tournament. An untouchable first set for the Storm was all the Lions allowed as they spoiled the SNU home opener, 3-1.

The Storm (2-7, 0-0 GAC) played some of their best volleyball of the season making a statement early on the Lions (7-2, 0-0 MIAA) in set one. SNU took over early as Kate Wright started things off with a big kill. 

Southern Nazarene took off from there after a few kills from Rayanna Mauldin and one from Emma Grace Moddelmog kept SNU in front. The Storm continued to pour in the kills extending their lead to 17-11.

UAFS was not going away that easy as they went on a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to one. A few more kills from Wright and a service ace from Moddelmog gave the Storm set point as they claimed the 25-20 set one victory. Wright was unstoppable as she powered down 12 kills in the first set alone.

The Lions took control early in set two going on a 7-2 run to start. The Storm added in a few kills from Wright and Riley Richardson hoping to chip away at their deficit. Another short run from Arkansas-Fort Smith extended their lead once more.

They kept their foot on the gas making it difficult for an SNU comeback as they took the second set, 25-13.

With an even score, the Crimson Storm looked to take back control, but the Lions were no small feat. They took an early lead but a kill from Isabella Labrada and a UAFS service error kept the Storm in it.

A few more Arkansas-Fort Smith errors put SNU within one, but the Lions responded with a 9-1 run and finished off the Storm to take set three, 25-14.

Arkansas-Fort Smith picked up right where they left off going on a 6-0 run to open up the fourth set. They continued to dominate after a service ace put them up by 10.

The Lions ran away with the momentum from there taking set four from the Storm, 25-9, and the match, 3-1.

Next Up

The Crimson Storm will return to the Sawyer Center on Friday, September 20 at 1:30 PM to take on Newman in their second match of the SNU/UCO Tournament.