Lady Cougars Begin West Coast Trip with Upset Win over No. 6 Southern Oregon

FULLERTON, Calif. – The No. 14 Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's volleyball team (1-1) began its west coast trip with a statement victory in the first day of Summer Slam 2025, hosted by Hope International on Friday, August 22.

MVNU opened with No. 6 Oregon Southern (2-2) and took the match after five hard fought sets. Southern Oregon took the first set 25-23, but MVNU battled back, taking the next two by scores of 25-15 and 26-24, respectively. The Raiders claimed set four 25-20 to force a fifth and final set. MVNU dominated in set five, claiming the upset victory by a score of 15-9.

MVNU displayed a balanced attack in the win and was led by freshman, Evelyn Brown with 12 kills. Lilla Nicholas had 11 kills, and Eliana Morgan finished the match with 10. Both Nicholas and Morgan set career-highs for kills in a match. Morgan also added a team-high five blocks. Jaelyn Tang anchored MVNU's back row with 13 digs and Kate Ruffle added eight of her own. Reagan Nuss had a complete match, finishing with 41 assists, seven digs, and five kills.

In the second match of the day, MVNU would take on No. 23 The Master's (3-0) in an NAIA National Tournament rematch. The Master's got the best of MVNU the second time around, taking the match in four sets by scores of 25-20, 23-25, 25-17, and 25-21.

Libby Evanshine had a team-high 11 kills as well as a team-best three blocks. Brown finished with 10 kills while hitting a team-high .348. Tang had 23 digs along with 15 assists, while Nuss finished with 15 digs. Ruffle added eight digs of her own in the match.

What's Next:

MVNU will wrap up its California trip in day two of Summer Slam 2025 on Saturday, August 23. MVNU will take on No. 2 Bellevue (Nebraska) and Life Pacific at 1:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,100 students from 33 states and 26 foreign countries.