POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. — Sterling College triumphed over Mid-America Christian University in a five-set battle, 3-2, with set scores of 20-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, and 15-13 in the second game of pool play at the NCCAA National Championship on Thursday, Dec. 4. Sterling recorded 46 kills and 70 digs, while also contributing nine service aces. Mid-America Christian tallied 62 kills and 79 digs, but the Lady Warrior’s decisive play in the fifth set secured the victory in this NCCAA Central Region Championship rematch.
The first set began with Mid-America Christian establishing early momentum, taking a 3-0 lead before Sterling responded with a kill from Kaira Rodriguez. the Lady Warriors managed to close the gap to 5-5, benefiting from a service ace by Grace Battershell and an attack error by the Evangels’ Alica Obusekova.
Sterling continued to keep the score tight, tying the game again at 14-14 following a series of attack errors by Mid-America Christian. Chloe Schmidt contributed with a key kill, helping Sterling gain a slight lead at 18-17. However, the Evangels answered back, regaining control and capitalizing on attack errors from the Lady Warriors, closing the set with a 25-20 score.
Sterling College maintained momentum early in the second set, sparked by Kaleigh Guhr‘s service ace. The team capitalized on the Evangels’ errors, with Aliya McClanahan and Keala Wilson contributing to a 7-3 lead, prompting a timeout from the opposition. Sterling extended their advantage to 12-9 with timely plays from Schmidt and Gracie Kirchhoff.
The Evangels attempted a comeback, narrowing the score to 16-15, but Sterling responded with key kills by McClanahan and Wilson. Service errors from both sides kept the period competitive, yet Sterling’s defense held firm. The set closed with Sterling converting a final point from McClanahan, securing a 25-22 win and extending their lead in the match.
The Lady Warriors began the third set with a narrow deficit, quickly leveling the score at 4-4 following an attack error by the Evangels’ Madi Trayler. A service ace by Wilson brought Sterling to a 10-10 tie, showcasing a resilient effort in the early exchanges.
Midway through the set, McClanahan and Kirchhoff contributed key kills, allowing Sterling to edge ahead 16-14. A timeout by the Evangels could not halt Sterling’s momentum, as they extended their lead to 17-14 with an attack error by Trayler.
However, Mid-America Christian responded with a strong push, benefiting from multiple kills by Marcela Nalin and a service ace, taking a 22-18 lead. Despite a late kill by McClanahan and a block by Wilson and Schmidt, Sterling could not regain the lead. The set concluded with Mid-America Christian securing a 25-20 victory.
The Lady Warriors would not go away quietly, initiating the fourth set with significant momentum, capitalizing on a service error from the Evangels to level the score early. Kirchhoff’s kill propelled Sterling into the lead, while McClanahan and Wilson extended the advantage with consecutive points, making it 5-2. A service ace by Battershell further solidified their position, contributing to a 7-3 lead.
The Evangels responded, narrowing the gap to 10-8 with a series of kills. However, Sterling regrouped with a block by Schmidt and Wilson, regaining a 12-10 lead. Despite a brief comeback by Mid-America Christian, which tied the game at 13, Sterling’s Abigail “Abi” Howard and Wilson managed to keep the score tight.
As the set progressed, Sterling and the Evangels traded points, with Sterling maintaining a slight edge at 19-17. The intensity remained high, with both teams tied at 21. A critical kill by McClanahan set Sterling at match point, and a subsequent bad set from Madison Lee of Mid-America Christian sealed a 25-23 victory for Sterling in the fourth set.
With renewed vigor, Sterling started the decisive fifth set by taking an early lead with a kill by Schmidt, assisted by Wilson. The momentum shifted back and forth as the teams traded points, with Sterling maintaining a slim margin. Key defensive plays included a block by Schmidt and Howard, which helped Sterling regain control.
Mid-America Christian briefly pulled ahead leading 11-13, but Sterling College responded with a strategic timeout and regained their composure. McClanahan played a pivotal role in the latter stages, delivering three consecutive kills, each assisted by Wilson, to close out the set with a 15-13 victory.
McClanahan led the Lady Warriors with 18 kills and a hitting percentage of .500, also contributing five total blocks. Wilson recorded 26 assists and 12 digs, adding to her tally of eight kills and five block assists. Schmidt posted 10 kills alongside a team-leading eight total blocks, while Taylor Dru Lindsey registered 18 digs in her role as libero, topping the defensive effort.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
