Tourney tune-up for VBall netters

Hitters Unite: Sodich, Cox, Hudson

Calverley, Smith spark team on eve of home opener

WAXAHACHE, Texas  --  The Southwestern Assemblies of God University volleyball team wrapped up their pre-Red River Athletic Conference tune-ups on Saturday by going 1-3 at the John Brown University Invitational. Coach Hank Moore's squad could have gone 3-1 with a few breaks.

They were very respectable during 16 individual games, going 5-11. Five of those setbacks, however, came by the 2-point minimum. Nine of the sixteen were decided by two points, and just four games had a margin of more than five points.

SAGU was outscored, overall, 391 to 348, and outhit in each match. For comparison sake, fans should use a baseball team’s collective batting average and a volleyball team’s hitting percentage similarly.

The team’s service game came up short over the weekend. Team Purp had 18 aces and 28 errors. Through 11 matches the trend is more evident with 50 aces and 72 errors. Look for them to clear this up now that RRAC action is beginning.

The Lady Lions are off their slowest start in at least seven years. For insiders, it's an understandable rebuilding segue. Filling the void left by three graduated seniors has been greatly hindered by injuries.

Here is an overview of the four matches played in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Vs. Evangel University (Mo). Current Record: 12-5.

Lose three games to one
L 24-26, W 25-20, L 17-25, L 19-25

Team Hitting:
Evangel .315 (58 kills, 13 errors), SAGU .255 (56-19)

SAGU Leaders:
Jessica Sodich 21-14 (kills- errors), 18 digs
Caitlyn Hudson 13-8
Kassy Cox 8-6
Taylor Calverley 44 assists, 9 digs

Vs. John Brown University (Ark). Current Record: 16-3.

Lose three games to one.
L 25-27
L 10-25
W 25-23
L 20-25

Team Hitting:
John Brown .282 (55-15), SAGU .115 (52-31)

SAGU Leaders:
Caitlyn Hudson 11-4 (kills-errors), 13 digs
Jessica Sodich 18-8
Kassy Cox 13-6
Taylor Calverley 40 assists
Emmalee Smith 13 digs

Vs. Peru State University (Neb). Current Record: 2-14.

Win three games to two.
W 31-29
L 16-25
L 23-25
W 25-23
W 16-14

Team Hitting:
Peru State .184 (65-30), SAGU .164 (63-31)

SAGU Leaders:
Kassy Cox 25-9 (kills-errors)
Caitlyn Hudson 17-8, 9 digs
Taylor Calverley 56 assists (career best)
Emmalee Smith 24 digs

Vs. Friends University (Ks). Current Record: 5-10.

Lose three games to none.
L 25-27
L 25-27
L 22-25

Friends went 4-0 during the weekend.

Team Hitting:
Friends .276 (52-15), SAGU .224 (50-20)

SAGU Leaders:
Jessica Sodich 16-6 (kills-errors), 13 digs
Caitlyn Hudson 16-6, 9 digs
Kassy Cox 12-3, 16 digs
Taylor Calverley 43 assists
Emmalee Smith 11 digs

Key Tournament Performers Totals

Hitting: Sodich 71 kills, 33 errors, .180 hitting percentage, 4.38 kills per game
Cox 58-24, Hudson 57-26.
Assists: Taylor 183, 11.4 per game. 31 digs, 4 aces, 12 kills.
Defense: Smith 58 digs, 3.6 per game, 5 aces.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU Sports Information Director at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.