Mac spikers win five-game thriller

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

McPherson College's volleyball team began the second half of the KCAC season successfully here Monday night with a thrilling five-game victory over Sterling at the Sport Center.

The Bulldogs looked to be on cruise control after winning the first two games, 30-26 and 30-27. But Sterling came back for 30-24 and 30-27 victories and had the momentum going into the decider.

In the fifth game, Mac was down 5-2 early, but came back to go up 10-7. Back came Sterling to knot the game at 12-all before the Bulldogs scored three of the final four points, with the winning play being an Erin Pargman smash down the line.

"The girls are playing with more confidence each time they step on the court," Mac coach Nathalea Stephenson said. "At different times we have different girls step up and come up with the big plays. They are wanting to improve and the girls work hard each day in practice. They are some of the most coachable young ladies I have ever coached."

Mac, now 6-4 in the KCAC and 12-6 overall, hosts Bethany Wednesday night.

Andrea Gonzales -- 6 kills, 2 aces, 9 digs, 1 solo block. April Stos -- 1 kill, 1 dig, 1 assisted block. Jenni Marquette -- 12 kills, 2 solo blocks, 1 assisted block. Erin Pargman -- 7 kills, 4 digs, 1 assisted block. Erica Alvarez -- 19 kills, 2 aces, 12 digs, 3 solo blocks, 1 assisted block. Lisa Salazar -- 8 kills, 2 aces 27 digs, 1 solo block. Stefani Slinkard -- 4 kills. Kelsey Hendricks -- 22 assists, 9 digs. Kelsey Crist -- 13 digs, 1 ace. Kendra Stephenson -- 26 assists, 10 digs, 1 ace. Amber Ontiveroz -- 8 digs.