TOUGALOO, Miss. – The Lyon College volleyball team was spectacular tonight as they pulled off the upset against NCAA Division I Mississippi Valley State University and easily swept Tougaloo College. Both matches were part of the Tougaloo College Tri-Match in Tougaloo, Mississippi.  

With the two key victories, Lyon improves to 7-5 on the season. MVSU falls to 1-8, while Tougaloo College drops to 3-5.   

GAME FLOW 
Mississippi Valley State University
The Scots and Devilettes played a very competitive first set as each team made terrific plays throughout the frame. MVSU, though, would take the first set by the narrowest of margins, 28-26.

However, Lyon would punch back right away. The Scots came out firing in the second stanza, en route to an impressive 25-18 second-set win.

The third frame was eerily similar to the first set as each team exchanged leads throughout the set. It was MVSU, though, who would make just one more play in this set to take a 2-1 advantage in sets.

With their backs against the walls, the Scots would respond immediately. Lyon recorded eight more kills than the Devilettes in the fourth set, easily winning the fourth set by a score of 25-16.

Now, it came down to the fifth and final set. The Scots showed their resilience all night and the fifth set would be just another example of their perseverance and willingness to win. Lyon kept clicking on all cylinders as the Scots pulled off the upset against NCAA Division I by taking the final set, 15-13.

Tougaloo College
The visitors from Batesville took an early advantage in the first set and never looked back as the Scots won the first set, 25-14.

Lyon would carry the momentum into the second frame as the Scots continued their terrific setting and aggressive hitting. Lyon made quick work of the Lady Bulldogs in the second stanza, taking the set by a score of 25-17.

The third frame was the most competitive set of the match. The Scots and Lady Bulldogs exchanged leads the entire frame. With the score tied at 25 apiece, each team continued to trade points. However, the Scots would rattle off two straight points to win the set, 29-27, and sweep the Lady Bulldogs.  

KEY STATISTICS
Mississippi Valley State University
 - Michayla Shanks registered a double-double as she tallied 16 kills and 11 digs. 
- Ellie Embry recorded a team-high 29 assists, while Kaitlyn Jackson added 20 in the contest.
- Gracen Ratliff registered double-digit kills as she finished the match with 10.
- Lyon edged MVSU in kills, 58-53, and aces, 6-3.
 
Tougaloo College
- Michayla Shanks posted 10 kills and a .420 hitting percentage in the match.
- Gracen Ratliff and Kendra Kelley used their length and athleticism at the net to tally four total blocks each, while Maggee Hobson was electric from the service line as she etched 4 aces.
- Ellie Embry and Kaitlyn Jackson each registered 14 assists in the contest.
- The Scots finished the match with 36 kills and a .263 hitting percentage.

COACH'S CORNER
"What a great day of play. We competed at a high level for back to back matches. We faced adversity in each match but never lost our team composure. Beating a D1 team will certainly be a season highlight. I'm very proud of our team and our continued improvement from day to day. We are certainly better now than when the first whistle blew this afternoon. Let's go!!!" – Coach Ray Green

WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE SCOTS
Lyon has a week off before returning to competition in a home match against Crowley's Ridge College on Sept. 17. This non-conference tilt between CRC and the Scots will begin at 7:00 p.m. inside Becknell Gymnasium.

Volleyball Contact: Justin Wagner
870-307-7073 | justin.wagner@lyon.edu 
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