OMAHA, Neb. – The 23rd-ranked Carroll College volleyball team split day one of the Bellevue Labor Day Classic, topping Evangel (Mo.) 17-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-14 before falling to No. 2 Dordt (Iowa) 27-25,25-21, 25-18 Friday in the Omaha.
 
In the opening match, the Saints struggled in the first set, notching seven errors to seven kills for a .000 hitting percentage. From that point on it was all Saints. After the seven errors in the first set, Carroll notched just eight errors in the remaining three sets.
 
Carroll closed the match with a .238 hitting percentage with 51 kills to just 15 errors. Evangel tallied 44 kills and 20 errors for a .158 attack percentage.
 
Another key stat came in the block category where the Saints notched 10 blocks to just two for Evangel.
 
Brielle Bumgarner was stellar in the middle for the Saints, notching 14 kills with just one error for a .433 attack percentage. She also added five block assists and a solo block for 16.5 total points. Rayna Pilgeram tallied 37 assists, and four Saints had double-digit digs led by Madi Quick with 17.
 
In the second match, the Saints struggled early in the first set, trailing 5-1 before rallying to earn set-point at 25-24. Dordt scored three consecutive points to steal the 27-25 win.
 
In the second set, Carroll led early the two teams were tied at 10-10, but the Defenders rallied for the 25-21 win.
 
The third set was close early, but a 6-1 run from Dordt put the set out of reach.
 
The Saints held Dordt to a .177 hitting percentage but hit just .129 themselves. Holly Morehouse led the Saints with nine kills, Rayna Pilgeram tallied 22 assists, and Casey Berry had 13 kills.
 
Carroll is now 5-6 on the season. They play No. 4 Midland at 10 a.m. MDT, the Saints topped the Warriors in a five-set battle earlier this season. Midland won both of their matches Friday. The Saints close the weekend with Central Methodist (Mo.). The Eagles are 3-3 and lost both of their matches today. Live stats are available via the Bellevue Tournament Page.