JONES AND GIORGIO LEAD AVILA TO HOME-OPENER WIN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Playing their first eight matches of the season on the road, Avila women's volleyball was looking forward to being back on their home court on Wednesday for a pair against Crowley's Ridge and MidAmerica Nazarene.

Opening the day against the Pioneers from northeastern Arkansas, the Eagles picked up a four-set victory, 25-23, 25-20, 22-25, 30-28.

Winning the first two sets, Avila dropped the third before a thrilling, comeback victory in the fourth set secured the home-opening victory for the Eagles.

The thrilling fourth set nearly went to a fifth with CRC leading 22-14 before a fierce Avila comeback gave the Eagles their first home win of the 2025 campaign.

Trailing by eight and just three points from a fifth set, a 6-0 run brought Avila to within one to force a Crowley's Ridge timeout. Immediately after the timeout, CRC made an attack error and answered with a point of their own. Back-to-back kills from Maddie Jones forced a second CRC timeout.

The two programs then alternated points for the next 10 tries before a kill by Jones and a CRC attack error gave the set and the match to Avila.

Jones had one of the best games of her Avila career, with 21 kills - the second-most in her three-year Avila career - and 10 digs, while Sophia Giorgio tallied 25 digs - also the second-highest total of her career. 

Additionally, Da'Mya Dickson (11) joined Jones and Giorgio with double-figure digs, while Emerson Sweet (12) and Payton Hofer (16) eached recorded double-digit kills as well. Dickson (27) and Sydney Martin (28) rounded out the strong idividual play with game-highs in the assist department. 

The second match against crosstown rivals MidAmerica Nazarene – a program receiving votes in the latest NAIA polls – did not go Avila's way, falling 3-0.

The Eagles lost the first and third sets, 25-14. The second set was closer for the home team, falling 25-20.

Statistically, Sophia Giorgio and Maddie Jones led the Eagles with 14 digs each in the second match, while Jones, Megan Davies and Sydney Owens each nabbed a service ace against the Pioneers. 

Avila is back on the court for two matches from Peru, Neb., on Friday, taking on Peru State and Briar Cliff, beginning at 2 PM.

 (photo credit: Issy Aguilar)