HILLSBORO, Kan. – Wednesday evening marks the opening night of KCAC play for Bluejay Volleyball as Evangel makes their way to Hillsboro for the first time as a member of the conference. 
 
Background
 
Despite Evangel joining the KCAC in 2023, the series between the two programs dates to 1988, where the Bluejays swept the Valor (then known as the Crusaders) in two sets under the direction of then-Head Coach Dr. Karol Hunt. Tabor took the first two matches, and the programs wouldn't meet again until 2003, where EU started an 11-match winning streak that wasn't broken by the Bluejays until 2017. TC has not won against the Valor since the first time the teams met in 2021. Evangel holds a 15-4 advantage in the series and Tabor looks to snap a three-match losing streak against the Valor on Wednesday.
 
Last Time Out
 
The Lady Bluejays traveled to Alva, Okla. on Saturday to face William Jewell and Northwestern Oklahoma State in the NWOSU Tournament. Tabor put up a strong fight against William Jewell but ultimately fell in three sets, while NWOSU came out strong and dominated the first set and fought off the Bluejays' advances in the final two sets to come up with the sweep.
 
Stat Stuffers
 
Sammie Saunders leads the way for Tabor in six of nine major statistical categories: Kills (133), Kills Per Set (2.89), Total Attacks (429), Total Attacks Per Set (9.33), Points (152.2), and Points Per Set (3.3).
 
Naera Tschus continues to lead the squad in Hitting Percentage (.571), while Mia Maly continues to lead in Assists (186), and Assists Per Set (4.13).
 
For the Valor, Loran Pritchett leads in five of nine major statistical categories: Kills (193), Kills Per Set (3.86), Total Attacks (531), Points (226.5), and Points Per Set (4.53).
 
Pritchett's sister Jessica currently leads the Valor in Assists (244) and Assists Per Set (5.81), while Vivianna Sanchez leads the team in Hitting Percentage (.371).
 
Fans won't want to miss Wednesday's KCAC opener. For fans that can't make it to Hillsboro to enjoy the action in person, the live broadcast will be available on the Tabor Webcast YouTube page and live stats will also be available.
 
Be sure to stay up to date with all information regarding Bluejay Athletics by following us on X at @gotaborbluejays, on Instagram and Facebook @taborbluejays, and on our official athletic website, taborbluejays.com.
 
Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).