Point Lookout, MO – After eliminating the number two seed, Pioneers of Wayland Baptist University, the College of the Ozarks Lady Cats were set to face top-seed, Mid-America Christian University in the NCCAA Central Region Championship. The Evangels defeated Mission University the night before to advance to the championship match.

Falling to the Evangels in the previous two meetings between the teams this season, the Lady Cats were looking to turn the tide in post-season play.

The Lady Cats jumped on the board first and MACU immediately responded. The teams began trading points and the battle was on. The Evangels were the first to put together a run and seven points later, the Lady Cats needed a timeout to regroup. A Bri Linehan kill out of the huddle broke the string, but the Lady Cats had work to do. An Abby Chadwell kill, and a pair of MACU errors completed a 4-0 run for the Lady Cats and the Evangels took their first timeout of the set. MACU broke the serve after the timeout and trading points resumed. Training 10-7 the Lady Cats were looking for another run. MACU continued to answer the Lady Cat challenges and slowly added to their lead. After a string of MACU points to take a 15-8 lead, a Brooklyn Crawford block broke the serve and a Christa Duffel kill followed. A Bailey Chamberlain/Emma McIntire block added to the Lady Cat total and a pair of MACU errors narrowed the gap. A Duffel/Chamberlain block cut the deficit to one, 15-14 and a McIntire/Chamberlain block evened the score forcing an Evangels timeout. The strategy paid off and the Evangels scored the first point out of the huddle. The teams traded points again, but the Lady Cats were unable to take the lead. MACU built a 19-16 advantage, and the Lady Cats took their final timeout of the set. The Evangels scored the next six points of the set and took set one 25-16.

Set two opened with an Evangels point but a Bri Linehan kill and a MACU error provided the response. The tug of war was on, and the Lady Cats were looking to bounce back. A Brooklyn Crawford kill gave the Lady Cats a 5-2 lead, but the Evangels answered with a trio of points to even the score. A MACU ace gave the lead to the visitors before a Crawford kill and her 300th career block gave the Lady Cats a brief lead. The Evangels continued to answer and built a 14-10 lead, forcing a Lady Cat timeout. A Bri Linehan kill out of the huddle gave the Lady Cats a boost, but MACU added a block to their point total. The Lady Cats struggle to put points together and the Evangels slowly added to their lead. A MACU service error and a pair of Christa Duffel kills cut into the lead, but the Lady Cats needed to string points together. Trailing 19-15, Bailey Chamberlain pounded a kill home and a Bri Linehan kill followed to reduce the deficit. A MACU kill increased the gap to 21-17 and the Lady Cats took a timeout to break the momentum. The Evangels scored the first point out of the huddle and the Lady Cats quickly responded. MACU bounced back and inched closer to the set win. A Bri Linehan kill kept the Lady Cats alive but an error brought up set point. Another Linehan kill extended the set, but the next point went to the Evangels as well as set two, 25-20.

A MACU kill opened set three, but a Christa Duffel kill quickly evened the score. The teams traded points in the early going and the Lady Cats, facing a sweep, needed to bud momentum. A pair of Linehan kills and a block put the Lady Cats on top 4-2. MACU responded to even the score, but a Bailey Chamberlain kill kept the Lady Cats on top. The battle intensified as the Evangels were intent on ending the match early and the Lady Cats were fighting to play a fourth set. A Jocee Pettyjohn ace was followed by a long rally and a MACU kill gave them an 8-7 lead. A Sophie Morris kill evened the score again and a Crawford kill returned the lead to the Lady Cats. Points went back and forth and neither team could put together a run. Kills by Christa Duffel and Emma McIntire, along with a Bailey Chamberlain block gave the Lady Cats a 12-10 lead, and the Lady Cats were building some momentum. An Evangels kill and a service ace evened the score at 13 apiece and the Lady Cats took a timeout. The Evangels took the first point out of the huddle and the Lady Cats quickly responded. A Christa Duffel kill gave the Lady Cats a 17-16 advantage, but MACU responded and took the next two points to gain an 18-17 lead. A Crawford kill evened the score and Bailey Chamberlain slammed one home to regain the lead. A MACU error forced a timeout with the Lady Cats leading 20-18. A MACU kill out of the huddle cut the lead, but a pair of Chamberlain kills answered the challenge. A Bri Linehan block bumped the score to 23-20 and a MACU error brought up set point and forced a time out. A MACU kill out of the huddle extended the set and an Ace cut the lead to 24-22. A long rally ensued before a Kamryn Link kill sealed the 25-22 win.  

Extending the match to a fourth set, the Lady Cats still had their backs to the wall and needed to maintain the momentum. Points went back and forth to open the set with MACU holding a slim advantage. A Brooklyn Crawford kill gave the Lady Cats their first lead, 4-3, but the Evangels regained the lead with a Lady Cat error and a kill. A Linehan kill and a Crawford/Link block evened the score, and the Lady Cats were looking to put together a run. The Evangels had other plans however, and a 6-1 run put the Lady Cats on the defensive. The Lady Cats began clawing their way back and a Bailey Chamberlain block and kill cut the gap to 14-12. A pair of MACU errors inched the Lady Cats closer, but the Evangels were determined to hold off the challenges. A 3-0 run but the visitors was ended by a Crawford kill, but time was running out. A MACU error and a Jocee Pettyjohn ace cut the gap to 18-17 and the Evangels took a timeout. MACU took the first point out of the huddle, but a Brooklyn Crawford kill provided the response. Kills by Crawford and Emma McIntire evened the score and a MACU error gave the Lady Cats a 21-20 advantage. A Crawford ace led to another MACU timeout to try and break the Lady Cat momentum. Chista Duffel slammed home a kill out of the huddle and the crowd added to the excitement. A MACU error brought up set point. Another MACU error gave the set to the Lady Cats 25-20 and delivered a fifth and deciding set.

A Service error by the Evangels started the set and an error followed to give the Lady Cats an early 2-0 lead. MACU responded with a kill and the race to 15 points was on. The Evangels fought back for a 3-2 lead before a Bailey Chamberlain kill evened the score. A 3-0 Evangels run spelled early trouble for the Lady Cats and another point made it 8-4 MACU. One point to each team forced a Lady Cat timeout and a pair of Lady Cat points out of the huddle cut the gap to 9-7. MACU answered and time was running out for the Lady Cats. A Duffel kill inched the Lady Cats closer, but MACU continued to answer the challenges. With the Evangels leading 12-8, a Bailey Chamberlain kill and a block cut the gap and the Lady Cats needed a run. A Kamryn Link ace reduced the deficit to 12-11 and the Evangels took a timeout. A Chista Duffel kill evened the score and the tension mounted. A Bri Linehan block gave the Lady Cats a 13-12 lead and MACU took their final timeout. A Linehan kill out of the huddle brought up match point, but the Evangels responded. The momentum had shifted, and the roar of the crowd carried the Lady Cats to the final point and the 15-13 Regional Championship.

Bri Linehan led the offense with 13 kills, and Bailey Chamberlain and Christa Duffel each added 10. Kamryn Link dished out 24 assists, and Mica Chadwell recorded 27 digs.

A trio of milestones were reached during the match with Brooklyn Crawford breaking the 300-block mark, Mica Chadwell recorded her 3000th career dig, and Kamryn Link went over the 1500 assist mark..

The Lady Cats will return to action December 4-7 when they host the NCCAA Women’s Division I Volleyball Championship Tournament.