WEBSTER GROVE, Mo. – The Lyon College Scots volleyball team split its matches at the Webster University Invitational falling to Webster in four sets before rallying to defeat Spalding University in five sets. Lyon opened the day with a 25-23 first-set victory against Webster but dropped the next three sets, 25-15, 25-20 and 25-13. The Scots responded in the afternoon against Spalding, overcoming a 2-1 deficit to win the final two sets and secure a 3-2 victory. With the split, Lyon moves to 4-17 overall and 2-8 in St. Louis Intercollegiate Conference play.
Lyon 1, Webster 3
Set One: Lyon 25, Webster 23
The Scots opened the match with a hard-fought 25-23 victory. Lyon's offense produced 16 kills while hitting .268, overcoming a competitive opening frame that featured five tied scores and two lead changes. The Scots took the early advantage and moved ahead 1-0 in the match.
Set Two: Webster 25, Lyon 15
Webster answered in the second set, taking a 25-15 victory. Lyon struggled to find its offensive rhythm, recording eight kills while committing 11 attack errors for a -.079 hitting percentage. The Gorloks evened the match at one set apiece.
Set Three: Webster 25, Lyon 20
Lyon showed improvement in the third set, recording 12 kills and hitting .205. However, Webster produced 16 kills to take the frame 25-20 and move ahead 2-1 in the match.
Set Four: Webster 25, Lyon 13
The Scots battled to extend the match in the fourth set, but Webster closed out the contest with a 25-13 victory. Lyon recorded seven kills and committed eight attack errors, finishing with a -.029 hitting percentage as the Gorloks secured the four-set win.
Keeley Beary led the Scots with 13 kills, while Paige Molloy added 11 kills and hit .214. Pascha Wistrand also reached double figures with 10 kills and a .286 hitting percentage. Ryan Russell contributed four kills, while Nevaeh Ghan added three.
Ella Gardner directed the Lyon offense with 33 assists and added 15 digs. Sofia Santis led the defensive effort with 17 digs, while Chaney McCance recorded 15 digs and Molloy finished with 12.
As a team, Lyon finished with 43 kills, 27 attack errors and a .101 hitting percentage. The Scots also recorded three service aces, one solo block, six block assists and 69 digs.
Lyon 3, Spalding 2
Set One: Spalding 25, Lyon 18
The Scots faced Spalding in the afternoon and fell 25-18 in the opening set. Lyon recorded 11 kills but committed eight attack errors, finishing with a .073 hitting percentage. Spalding took the early lead in the match.
Set Two: Lyon 26, Spalding 24
Lyon responded with a 26-24 victory in a closely contested second set. The Scots recorded 12 kills and hit .108 while battling through 10 tied scores and two lead changes. Lyon held off the Golden Eagles in the extended frame to even the match at one set apiece.
Set Three: Spalding 25, Lyon 9
Spalding regained control in the third set, earning a 25-9 victory. Lyon managed five kills and committed eight attack errors, finishing with a -.103 hitting percentage. The Golden Eagles moved ahead 2-1 in the match.
Set Four: Lyon 25, Spalding 16
Facing elimination, the Scots delivered their strongest offensive set of the match. Lyon recorded 13 kills against just one attack error, hitting an impressive .400 to claim a 25-16 victory and force a deciding fifth set.
Set Five: Lyon 15, Spalding 12
Lyon completed the comeback with a 15-12 victory in the fifth set. The frame featured seven tied scores and four lead changes as the Scots and Golden Eagles battled for the match. Lyon recorded six kills and hit .176 before closing out the five-set win.
Beary and Wistrand led the Scots with 11 kills apiece. Beary added four block assists, while Wistrand hit .259. Ryan Russell contributed six kills without committing an attack error, finishing with a team-best .353 hitting percentage. Nevaeh Ghan added eight kills on 12 attacks for a .500 hitting percentage, while Molloy also contributed eight kills.
Gardner paced the Lyon offense with 41 assists, while McCance anchored the defense with 22 digs. Olivia Locke added 13 digs, and Molloy finished with 10. McCance also recorded two service aces, while Molloy contributed three service aces.
As a team, Lyon finished with 47 kills, 28 attack errors and a .123 hitting percentage. The Scots also recorded seven service aces, 10 block assists and 75 digs.
Scots volleyball will be back in Batesville for Dig Pink night where they will take on the Central Baptist Mustangs this coming Tuesday, October 20th at 6:00 PM in Becknell Gym.
