SPRINGFIELD - The William Woods University Lady Owls volleyball team prevailed in three of its four matches at the Evangel University Tournament after coming away with a split Saturday.
William Woods University (7-6) fell to Tabor (Kan.) College 27-29, 25-16, 22-25, 25-12 and 15-10, but recovered to turn back College of the Ozarks 25-22, 21-25, 25-20 and 25-17.
Senior outside hitter Emily Becker paced the Lady Owls with 14 kills and 11 digs in the loss to Tabor, while senior middle blocker Cierra Merz and junior middle blocker Stephanie Davis added 11 kills apiece. Sophomore setter Brittney Engelbrecht supplied 52 assists and 10 digs.
Becker powered William Woods again with 13 kills in the victory over the Ozarks, while senior outside hitter Lauren Rodewald and senior right-side hitter Rachel Frabotta finished with 12 and 11, respectively. Engelbrecht passed out 51 assists and junior defensive specialist Shelby Hinshaw had a team-high 16 digs.
The Lady Owls opened tournament play Friday with wins over Cumberland (Ky.) University (25-13, 25-23, 25-21) and John Brown (Ark.) University (14-25, 25-16, 21-25, 25-14, 15-13).
Davis posted 10 kills in the triumph over Cumberland, Hinshaw contributed nine digs and Engelbrecht posted a game-high 38 assists.
Becker produced a double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs in the victory over John Brown, while Davis and Rodewald tallied 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Hinshaw and Engelbrecht topped William Woods with 15 digs apiece, while freshman defensive specialist Melanie Kala had 10.
The Lady Owls return home to face College of the Ozarks again in a non-conference encounter at 7 tonight at Anderson Arena.