INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College volleyball team kicked off the 2018 Midwest Region Crossover in nail biting fashion on Friday, defeating Wisconsin-Parkside in five sets.

The first set was tightly contested as neither team put together a run more than three points until Wesleyan jumped out to a 23-18 lead.  The 4-0 run was capped off by an ace from Sierra Morrow before Jaylen McEwen sealed the 25-19 win with a kill.

The Rangers took the second set 25-17 before the Panthers bounced back in set three to take it 25-22.  The fourth set belonged to Wisconsin-Parkside, 25-13, to force a decisive fifth set.

Wesleyan jumped out to a 4-0 lead after back-to-back kills from Morrow and McEwen.  Facing a 9-9 tie, the Panthers utilized three straight points regain a 12-9 lead.  Alexa Davis tallied two straight kills in the run.  McEwen put the Panthers ahead 14-10 with another kill before an attacking error sealed the win for Wesleyan.

 McEwen led the Panthers with 15 kills followed by Morrow at 12.  Morrow recorded six blocks while Autumn Harries tallied three.  Lydia Jackson dished out 27 assists while Nicole Venema tallied 19 digs.