HILLSBORO, Kan. – Friday evening marks the start of a new chapter as Adam Brewster leads his Lady Bluejay squad to battle in front of their home crowd for the first time. 
 
In case fans needed an additional reason to be excited for tomorrow's match, Brewster's squad welcomes his sister Molly Karagyaurov's MidAmerica Nazarene squad to Hillsboro for the first meeting between the two programs since Karagyaurov's first season in 2020. Prior to the 2024 season, Brewster served as the top assistant on Karagyurov's staff from 2020 through January of 2024.
 
Background
 
The two programs have met 12 times since the 1988 season, where the Bluejays served up a two-set sweep of the Pioneers under the direction of then-Head Coach Dr. Karol Hunt. The Lady Bluejays dominated the series in the early stages, taking each of the first five matches (1988-91). The Pioneers switched the narrative in the 2004 campaign, winning their first match in the series and taking six of seven matches from 2004-20. Tabor won their lone match against the Pioneers in the 2000s in 2007, with the Bluejays topping the Pioneers in a five-set thriller under the direction of then-Head Coach and current Assistant Athletic Director Amy Ratzlaff.
 
During the 2016 campaign, the teams met twice, with the second matchup taking place at the Final Site of the NAIA Volleyball Tournament, where the Pioneers took the match in three straight sets.
 
Outlook
 
Tabor has had some bright spots despite a slow start to the season. Sammie Saunders leads the team and ranks 9^thin the KCAC in total kills with 82. Saunders also leads the Lady Bluejays with 2.73 kills per set. Mia Maly leads the team and ranks 11^th in the conference with 120 assists. Defensively, Naera Tschus leads the team with 95 digs and 2.97 digs per set. The Lady Bluejays have faced six Heart of America Athletic Conference squads so far, facing William Penn twice, going 1-6 against the Heart so far. 
 
The Bluejays match up against the 5-4 Pioneers who are led by sophomore Mia Olson with 92 kills and 2.79 kills per set, followed by junior Avery Lowe with 84 kills and 2.71 kills per set. Defensively, Emily Mathis leads the team with 141 digs and 4.27 digs per set. MNU is 1-0 versus KCAC opponents on the season, easily taking care of Avila in a three-set sweep in their season opener. 
 
Friday's match is sure to be exciting no matter what and fans can tune into the live broadcast on the KCAC Network and on the Tabor Webcast YouTube page. Live stats are available here and visiting fans can purchase their tickets here.
 
Tomorrow's action starts at 6 PM inside Tabor College Gymnasium.
 
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).