The Lindenwood women’s volleyball team enjoyed a thrilling three-set win over Quincy, Friday night at Hyland Arena in St. Charles. (Photo courtesy: Lindenwood Athletics)

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QUINCY (7-10, 4-5)2516240
LINDENWOOD (10-5, 5-2)2725253

by DeMarcus Dixon
Staff Writer

The Lindenwood University women’s volleyball team enjoyed one of its most thrilling victories of the season, Friday night at Hyland Arena, when the Lions sweep visiting Quincy University in three sets by the scores of 27-25, 25-16, and 26-24.

Most times, a win is thrilling because the team dominated and it enjoyed being in control for most of the game or match. But on Friday, the thrill came because Lindenwood had to battle back from several deficits and did it each time to pull out the win.

The evening began with a strong start by Quincy, which grabbed early leads at 8-4, 10-5, 12-7, and 15-8. The Hawks were even able to extend that eight-point edge at 20-12. But that’s when the Lions pulled off their first great run of the night and won eight of the next 10 points to get within 22-20.

Then after a service error gave Quincy a 23-20 lead, Lindenwood rallied again and won the next three points to tie the match at 23-23. Quincy answered by winning the next point to give itself a set point.

But once again, Lindenwood got hot and not only staved off the set point, but won four of the set’s final five points to claim the set at 27-26.

Quincy had perhaps its best run of the match at the beginning of the second set, as the Hawks won seven of the first eight points to go ahead 7-1. Lindenwood answered with an 11-4 run to go ahead 13-12.

And even though Quincy tied the match at 13, the Lions never trailed again in the set, as they reeled off a 10-1 run to push their lead to 23-14.

Lindenwood eventually won that set 25-16.

The third set was similar to the first, as both clubs took turns playing well and grabbing the lead. Quincy found its rhythm midway through and went on a 5-1 run to go ahead 17-12. But just as it had all night, Lindenwood responded with a 7-2 run that tied the set at 19.

Quincy didn’t fade though, and managed to get back ahead at 23-21. The Lions answered again, thanks to a couple of hitting errors by the Hawks to tie the set again at 23.

Quincy won the next point to give itself its second set point of the night, with this one being a critical one because winning the third set meant the Hawks could extend the match and force a fourth set.

But once again, Lindenwood responded and won what proved to be the final three points of the night to claim the final set 26-24.

Lindenwood’s Madilyn Dement led all hitters with 10 kills, followed by teammates Audrey Weber, who had nine kills, and Nyah Wilson, who had eight.

The standout performer of the night though, was middle blocker Mackenzi Sifuentes, who had led the Lion defense with nine blocks. It was her presence at the net that kept Quincy from making any of its leads too large to overcome.

The victory, which was Lindenwood’s fifth in five matches at home this season, lifted the Lions’ record to 10-5 and gave them a 5-2 record in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. That mark has Lindenwood in second place in the GLVC Central Division standings.

Lindenwood will get to enjoy the rest of Homecoming weekend off, before returning to action at the Midwest Region Crossover Tournament in Indiana next weekend.

The Lions will play at least three matches at that event, before returning to conference play in two weeks with matches at William Jewell and at Missouri S&T.

Lindenwood’s next in town match, though it will still be a road contest, will come on Friday, October 29, when the Lions will take on crosstown rival UMSL at that school’s Mark Twain Building.

Lindenwood’s next home match in Hyland Arena will be on Tuesday, November 2, against Maryville.