The Pioneers clinched the HAAC regular season title with a 5-set victory at Graceland on Tuesday. With the victory, MNU now leads Graceland and Evangel by 2 games with 1 to play. Graceland won the first set 25-22 as the Pioneers struggled to find a rhythm. MNU rallied to close out the set, but could've overcome a big deficit. The rally continued into the second set, however, and the Pioneers dominated for a 25-15 victory. The momentum carried into the third set where the Pioneers won 25-21. Graceland battled back with a 25-22 fourth-set victory, setting up the deciding fifth set. The Pioneers took an early lead and led 8-5 at the switch. Graceland hung around and closed the gap to 1 with a 14-13 Pioneer lead. MNU closed it out on the next play, taking the match and clinching the HAAC.
Seniors
Megan Hayes and
Molly Brewster led the Pioneers with 11 kills apiece. Brewster also added a team-high 17 digs. And Hayes had a team-high 6 blocks.
Linjun Ji had 9 kills, 15 digs, and 2 aces.
Vladi Kopanarova had 7 kills and 2 blocks. And
Taryn Salum had 32 assists and 12 digs.
The Pioneers are 20-4 (8-0 HAAC). The next match is Senior Night, Tuesday the 30th at home vs. Avila (16-12, 4-4) at 7:00.
