WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL GRABS ANOTHER WIN, DEFEATS MISSION IN FIVE

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Coming off a long road trip in Chicago, Avila women's volleyball traveled to face Mission on Wednesday night and returned to Kansas City with a big five-set victory.

When facing the loss, the Eagles used a big fourth-set comeback to take down the Patriots.

Avila was slow to get out of the gates in the first set, falling 25-10. Mission got their best foot forward in the first, hitting .125 with 11 kills, compared to just six kills for Avila.

The match was tied up after the Eagles answered back in the second set, 25-20, but it was Mission who countered right away, wrapping up the third set 26-23.

Both teams played well in the third, setting match highs with 13 (Avila) and 14 (Mission) kills each in the middle frame.

Facing defeat, Avila came back in the fourth set, picking up a 25-22 win and force a decisive fifth set.

In the fourth set, Mission's 11 errors – compared to just two from Avila – was the story of the frame.

In the final fifth set, Avila took the win, 15-11 and a 3-2 match.

Avila hit .269 in the final frame with nine kills. The .269 hitting percentage was a single-set match-high for both teams.

Sydney Owens led the way for Avila as one of the key parts of the victory, putting up 10 kills and 24 digs. Owens' 24 digs were one of four Eagles with double-digit digs, joining Sophia Giorgio (10), Maddie Jones (15) and Da'Mya Dickson (10).

Avila is back in action for four matches this weekend at the College of the Ozarks Volleyball Classic. The Eagles first match will be Friday at 2 PM, taking on Mid-America Christian.