Walnut Ridge, AR - Lyon College Scots volleyball battled it out with the Williams Baptist University Eagles, the Scots would fall in three sets, 27-25, 25-12 and 25-20. Lyon came close to taking the opening set before Williams Baptist pulled away late, then faced a difficult second set before mounting a stronger effort in the third. With the loss, the Scots move to 6-18 overall on the season.
Set One: Williams Baptist 27, Lyon 25
The Scots opened the match with a competitive first set, trading points with the Eagles in a frame that featured eight ties and six lead changes. Lyon's offense found opportunities at the net, recording 10 kills, while the Eagles tallied 13 kills of their own.
Keeley Beary helped lead the Lyon attack, while Pascha Wistrand added important offensive contributions. The Scots kept the score close throughout the set, continuing to respond as Williams Baptist attempted to create separation. Neither team was able to establish lasting control, and the set extended beyond the usual 25-point mark. Williams Baptist ultimately secured the final points to take a narrow 27-25 victory and the opening-set advantage.
Set Two: Williams Baptist 25, Lyon 12
Williams Baptist gained control in the second set, using a more efficient offensive performance to extend its lead in the match. Lyon struggled to establish consistency at the net, finishing the frame with five kills and 12 attack errors. The Scots recorded a -.259 hitting percentage, while the Eagles hit .360 with 11 kills and just two errors.
Lyon continued to compete, but Williams Baptist maintained its advantage throughout the set. The Eagles' efficiency limited opportunities for the Scots to build momentum, and Williams Baptist closed out the frame, 25-12, to take a two-set lead.
Set Three: Williams Baptist 25, Lyon 20
The Scots responded in the third set, putting together a stronger offensive showing as they attempted to extend the match. Lyon recorded 12 kills in the frame, its highest total of the three sets, and improved its hitting percentage to .167.
Beary continued to lead the attack, while Wistrand and Reyleigh Twist provided additional offense. Twist finished with four kills on five attempts without committing an attack error, while Wistrand contributed six kills in the match. Lyon remained within reach for much of the set, but Williams Baptist answered the Scots' efforts and finished with 14 kills in the frame. The Eagles secured the 25-20 victory to complete the sweep.
Beary paced Lyon offensively with eight kills on 24 attacks. Wistrand added six kills, while Twist recorded four kills on an efficient .800 hitting percentage. Paige Molloy contributed three kills, and Nevaeh Ghan also finished with two kills.
Ella Gardner directed the Scots' offense with 23 assists and added six digs. Chaney McCance led Lyon defensively with seven digs, while Marae Pounds contributed two service aces and four digs. Olivia Locke added three service aces in two sets of action.
As a team, Lyon finished with 27 kills and 34 digs. Williams Baptist recorded 38 kills and 31 digs, using its offensive efficiency to secure the three-set victory.
Scots volleyball will be back in action this coming Friday, October 30th and Saturday, October 31th competing in a gauntlet of SLIAC competition at the Eureka College Invitational.
