Ravens Volleyball dropped a tough match Saturday night. The Ravens held a 2-1 lead, but ultimately lost 3-2 to the Evangel Crusaders.

The Ravens dropped the opening set 25-21. The score swayed back-and-forth in the opening moments of the set, but the Crusaders used a 6-2 run to go up 11-7. The Ravens were able to come back and level the set, 18-18, but Evangel closed out the first set on a strong note to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

Aretha Victalino, Joslyn Lewis and Caitlin Vancura each had 3 kills in the opening set for the Ravens.

The Ravens bounced back in the second set. After a timeout by Coach Erin Cooper when the Ravens trailed 8-6, the home side went on a 13-5 run to take control of the set, ultimately winning it 25-22 and leveling the match at 1-1. Lewis recorded 3 kills and 3 digs in the set while Marea Wortmann had 8 assists. Vancura also had a block and Haylie Dickerson had three block assists.

Set three showcased some serious gumption by the Ravens. The Crusaders took leads of 20-15 and 24-22, yet the Ravens continued to fight back. Megan Luby's ace gave the Ravens a 26-25 lead, then a block by Lewis and Dickerson sealed the 27-25 set win that put the Ravens up 2-1 in the match.

Victalino, Lewis and Vancura each again recorded 3 kills, while Wortmann had 9 more assists.

The Ravens seemed to be in control of the fourth set, and the match, with a 15-9 lead. However, the Crusaders showed their own resolve and stormed to a 16-5 finish in the fourth to win 25-20. That sent the match to the decisive fifth set.

Evangel took control of the fifth set early, then held strong when the Ravens pulled to within 1 point, going on to win 15-10 to take the match, 3-2. The Ravens attack percentage fell to .077 in the fifth set as the Crusaders earned the victory.

Lewis led the Ravens with 15 kills and a .519 attack percentage. Vancura had 13 kills. Wortmann totaled 41 assists and four block assists. Luby finished with 17 digs, while Katelyn Malick added 14.

The Ravens (4-4, 2-4 Heart South) will return to action at home on Tuesday, Oct. 13 against MidAmerica Nazarene University.