MOORE, Okla. – Dallas Christian College volleyball picked up a split on Saturday, sweeping tri-match host Randall University, 3-0, before falling in three sets to Manhattan Christian College.
This was a crucial stretch for the Crusaders, with the NCCAA Southwest Regionals looming on November 4-6. The latest top-10 poll slated DCC at seventh, while three of its opponents this week were listed higher with Manhattan at number 2, Randall at number 4, and Arlington Baptist at number 5. DCC picked up a thriller over ABU on Tuesday in Dallas and continued its success over Randall, this time dominating the three sets on its home floor. Manhattan remains a challenge for the Crusaders, as they fell a second time this regular season but had battled to five sets and lost 15-13 in the last one.
Dallas Christian vs. Randall: Won 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-15)
The Crusaders eclipsed double-digits in kills in each of the sets and amassed a .202 hitting percentage for the game. They totaled 10 more kills (35-25) compared to Randall and were led by
Lauren Baker with 12. The senior only committed three errors in 29 attempts for a .310 hitting percentage.
Cameron Del Angel had six kills and hit .278, while
Elizabeth Morrow and
Christen Downey posted five kills apiece.
Hannah Gallegos and
Kelly Graves each helped setup the offense with 17 and 14 assists, respectively.
The defense was led by
Caitlyn Yablon with 26 digs. DCC edged Randall 65-61 in that category.
Maya Harrington, Downey, Baker, and Del Angel each posted a block, while Downey had a solo block to give her two.
Olivia Withers and
Raezellejace Leano were particularly masterful on serve this game, with the freshman duo combining for seven of the team's eight service aces. Withers added to her team-lead in aces, which is now 24 and had a game-high four.
DCC was in control from the outset, racking up the first 12 points in the opening set for a commanding lead. The team had five kills during that run and Withers picked up a trio of her aces during that surge while she was leading off as the first server for the guests. Randall answered back with a 13-4 run to make it a tight match again. Morrow got a kill and Downey made a huge block to flip the momentum again. DCC closed the first win with a 7-3 scoring stretch.
The Saints scored first in the middle set and after the teams were deadlocked at 4-4, it was Dallas Christian that rattled off six points to push ahead.
Keeley Price notched a kill for the start of that surge. Leano added a pair of her service aces. Randall pulled within three relatively early in the frame at 11-8, but the team in cardinal red jerseys would keep pulling away with an eventual 5-0 run propelling the team up nine (21-12). Each side traded a few points until it was a double-digit final.
DCC held the early advantage with the first three points helping the cause in the third set. Morrow put down a kill to start things and then Yablon was credited a rare kill for the libero to open a 2-0 edge. A hitting error by Randall made it a 3-0 deficit. While the Saints didn't get all the points back immediately, a 4-0 run put the home team up 11-9 for the only portion of the game that leads changed. The Crusaders countered with nine-of-10 points to break the game open again for the guests. This included five points in a row. The initial three-point swing had Withers on serve and her fourth ace. Baker had the go-ahead point in both instances during that stretch that the score was knotted. Downey added an ace and RU had three consecutive hitting errors to widen the gap for the Crusaders. DCC scored seven-of-nine points to clinch its seventh sweep on the campaign and fourth over a regional foe. The Crusaders scoring stretch from the time it trailed the furthest at two on the day ended up being a 16-4 advantage.
This victory for the Crusaders marks their fifth in a row over Randall dating back to October 31, 2020, which was Senior Day for the Crusaders. This run includes triumphs in the regional and national tournament rounds, which were highlights for the NCCAA Championship Runner-ups postseason run.
Dallas Christian vs. Manhattan: Loss 3-0 (25-20, 25-11, 25-22)
In another big matchup against a top-four ranked opponent, the Crusaders competed hard, but fell in the first two sets by at least five and came up short in the final set against Manhattan Christian. The Thunder combined for 43 kills and increased its total each frame including a game-high 16 in the last one.
DCC had its total amount of kills in the first set with 11, as they competed back-and-forth with the Thunder early on. Down 2-0, a ball handling error gave the Crusaders the ball with Withers on serve. She started with an ace and Downey capped the 4-0 run with a kill. Sides traded points throughout until it was knotted at 11. Baker got a kill and then Downey scored consecutive points on kills to open a 15-11 advantage. The Thunder sliced into the deficit with the next three points. A 6-2 run would flip the momentum again for the second nationally ranked team. Downey tried to keep DCC close with a kill that made it 20-19. However, the Thunder grabbed the lead with four straight points and a service error was the lone DCC point the rest of the way.
After a tough second set, the Crusaders battled again in the last set. Down 12-6,
McKenna Ramsey posted a kill that was followed by Del Angel, who led the Crusaders with eight in the match. DCC fell behind as far as seven, but would work to cut into the margin as close as four. Down to match-point, Baker kept the Crusaders alive with a kill and Graves was on serve. After two more errors by Manhattan, the match ended in a three-point game with a kill by Brenna McNellis.
Gallegos claimed a double-double in assists and digs with 15 and 10. Graves neared one with eight assists and also had 10 digs. Yablon helped form a trio in double figures for digs with a team-high 15. Baker and Downey finished with five and four kills, respectively.
Manhattan spread the offense with a quartet of players posting at least eight kills, but none were in double-digits. Elise Corbet had 35 assists, while the team garnered nine service aces led by McNellis with five. The Thunder came up with 70 digs to limit the DCC offense.
Dallas Christian plays its final match this regular season against a regional opponent, which will be at Southwestern Adventist University on Monday, October 11, at 6 p.m.
It is a big week at home for the Crusaders on Oct. 15-16 with DCC Homecoming happening, too. The Crusaders host Brookhaven College at 1 p.m. on Friday and Texas Christian College at 11 a.m. on Saturday. That match will also be "Senior Day" for six Crusaders.
"Dallas Christian educates and mentors students to be people of influence engaging in their calling to the work of Christ in the church and in the world."
