SAN ANGELO, Texas - Southern Nazarene wrapped up play Saturday afternoon at the Kathleen Brasfield Invitational with a split after falling to host No. 2 Angelo State and defeating Adams State in a five-set thriller to finish the weekend 2-2.
Game 1Â
The Crimson Storm (2-2, 0-0 GAC) seized early momentum, using kills from Kate Wright and Rayanna Mauldin along with a Hannah Morgan ace to build a 10-6 advantage. SNU kept its foot on the gas, as a late 5-1 push capped by another Wright kill helped the Storm close out the opener, 25-19.
No. 2 Angelo State (3-0, 0-0 LSC)Â responded in the second frame, but SNU battled to stay right in step. A 4-1 surge highlighted by back-to-back kills from Mauldin brought the Storm within striking distance at 22-23. However, the Rambelles answered with the final two points to even the match, 25-23.
In the third, Angelo State's offense began to click, hitting .548 in the set to pull away despite six combined kills from Wright and Riley Richardson. The Storm hung close until late, but ASU held on for a 25-20 win.
The fourth set saw Angelo State take control early and never look back, using a quick 7-2 start to their advantage. The Storm continued to fight defensively but fell 25-13 as the Rambelles closed out the match.
Wright led Southern Nazarene with 13 kills and 4 aces, while Mauldin tallied 10 kills. Richardson added 7 kills and 2 blocks. Setter Brelee Mauldin handed out 29 assists, and libero Megan Branson paced the defense with 14 digs.
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Game 2Â
The Crimson Storm (2-2, 0-0 GAC) struck first, taking advantage of Adams State's early errors to build a steady cushion. Kate Wright and Hannah Morgan combined for seven kills in the frame as SNU pulled away late to secure the opener, 25-18.
The second set turned into a battle, with both sides trading blows throughout. Wright hammered home a kill to give the Storm a 26-25 edge, and a final Adams State miscue sealed the 27-25 victory, putting SNU in control with a two-set lead.
Adams State rallied in the third, riding the hot hand of Hadleigh Richardson to flip the momentum. Despite six more kills from Wright, the Grizzlies held on for a 25-20 win. The fourth set saw the Storm stumble out of the gate as Adams State used a 12-3 surge to seize command. SNU couldn't recover, falling 25-10 to force a deciding frame.
In the fifth, Southern Nazarene regrouped and delivered a strong final showing. Wright powered down three kills and Megan Branson added a key service ace as SNU jumped in front 10-7. The Storm never relinquished control, closing on a 5-2 run capped by a Wright finish to claim the set, 15-12, and the match.
Wright turned in a dominant performance with 23 kills and 10 digs for her first double-double of the season. Morgan added 8 kills and 4 blocks, while Jaidyn Reid chipped in 8 kills. Setter Emma Grace Moddelmog dished out 16 assists, with Jasmine Liongco adding 16 of her own. Defensively, Avery Ramos collected a team-high 18 digs, joined by Branson's 16 and Wright's 10.
Southern Nazarene out-blocked the Grizzlies 12-7 and leaned on timely plays down the stretch to secure the five-set victory and even its overall record at 2-2.
Next Up
The Crimson Storm will hit the road again to play in the Pitt State Challenge hosted by Pittsburg State. The Storm will take on No. 15 Southwest Minnesota State Thursday, September 11 at 5:00 pm.
