KINGSVILLE, Texas - Southern Nazarene Volleyball hit the road for their season opener as the Crimson Storm competed in the Texas A&M Kingsville Tournament. The Storm faced off with Westminster (UT) and Missouri Southern day one of the tournament. SNU fell in game one to Westminster, but bounced back with a five-set win over Missouri Southern.

Game 1 

The Storm (1-1, 0-0 GAC) met the Griffins (1-1, 0-0 RMAC) for the 2024 season opener. The two squads battled early before a quick 3-0 run put the Griffins in front. The Storm responded with three points of their own to even out the score 7-7.

The two continued to compete at the net before an  SNU 5-1 run put the Crimson Storm ahead 20-14. The Griffins weren't backing down as they responded, cutting the SNU lead to two. A service error from the Griffins gave the  Storm set point, but WU tied the score once more.  

A clutch kill from Whitney Bowie secured the set one victory for SNU, 26-24. 

Both teams picked up right where they left off to start the second set. A 6-0 run for the Griffons later proved costly as they jumped out to a 12-6 lead. 

They continued that momentum making it difficult for the Storm to get any sort of offense going. Westminster finished off SNU with a 6-1 run to take set two, 25-15.

The Storm needed a response as they opened the third set with a big kill from Riley Richardson. The Griffons continued to dominate on their side of the net as they went on yet another run to jump out to an early 12-7 lead.

They kept their foot on the gas, taking all momentum from the Storm as they closed on a 7-1 run to take the third set, 25-13.

Southern Nazarene needed a comeback and looked to kills from Tessa Henry and Richardson to get an early lead. A 3-0 run for the Storm extended their lead again after a Bowie ace and Emma Grace Moddelmog kill.

The Griffons responded later with a 5-0 run to take over the lead, 16-12. The Storm continued to claw back, but a victory seemed out of reach as WU finished off SNU with a 6-0 run to take the set, 25-19, and take the match, 3-1.

Game 2

The Crimson Storm looked to bounce back in their second match of the Texas A&M Kingsville Tournament as they took on MIAA foe, Missouri Southern. The Storm stayed persistent as they battled a tough Lions squad to claim the 3-2 victory in Kingsville.

The Storm (1-1, 0-0 GAC)  jumped on the board early thanks to a few attack errors from the Lions (0-2, 0-0 MIAA). From there, the two squads traded points back and forth. Both teams tallied double digits kills as SNU posted 14 and MSSU 15. The Lions got the upper hand as a Crimson Storm service error gave the Lions set point and they finished the Storm with a kill to take set one.

The Lions continued their momentum to begin set two, as they powered down two kills and took advantage of an SNU error to lead 3-0. The Storm later took the lead, 7-6 after back-to-back kills from Whitney Bowie.

The Storm then went on a 7-1 run to extend their lead once more. Isabella  Labrada and Kate Wright teamed up for a few more kills for the Storm pushing their lead 16-13.

The Storm remained in control, but the Lions lingered closely behind before they tied the score at 22. Labrada and Riley Richardson notched a few more kills to tie the score 24-24. The Lions responded with a kill of their own to give them a set point, but a service error tied the score once again. 

A kill from Emma Grace Moddelmog then gave the Storm set point and an MSSU service error sealed the deal as the Crimson Storm took set two.

Kate Wright opened up the third set with a big kill to set the tone for the Storm early on. SNU went on a 5-1 run before the Lions answered with three quick points. Another run from MSSU tied the score and the two squads battled from there. 

The Lions' offense took over going on a 14-4 run to take set three and jump ahead 2-1. 

Set four remained tight as the Storm and Lions went back and forth once more. The Lions got the first match point before a Richardson kill tied the score at 24 all. The Lions responded with a kill of their own to take back the lead. An attack error from the Lions tied the score again before a Rayanna Mauldin and a Tatum Smith ace sent the match into the fifth and final set.

Another back and forth start proved to be the case once again until Labrada and Tynna Mojica teamed up for a pair of kills to lead by three. The Lions quickly answered back to trail 7-6, but a Missouri Southern attack error and an Emma Ringer ace put the Storm back up by three. 

A serving run from Moddelmog and kills from Richardson and Tessa Henry sealed the deal for the Crimson Storm as they claimed set five and the match to earn their first victory of the season.

Next Up

The Storm will take on host Texas A&M Kingsville Saturday September 7 at 11:00 am and #16 Minnesota-Duluth Saturday September 7 at 5:00 pm.