The Lindenwood volleyball team's streak of 33 straight HAAC wins came to end tonight in St. Charles, Mo. Evangel handed the Lady Lions their first conference loss since 2006, winning 25-27, 25-21, 25-18, 25-17.

Lindenwood controlled tempo early in the opening set, and raced out to a quick 21-12 lead. Evangel immediately called a timeout to regroup, and the Lady Lions were never the same after that. The visiting Crusaders rallied to eventually even the score at 25. Lindenwood responded with two straight points to escape with a 27-25 win.

The second set was a close affair with neither team seizing control early. Leading 15-12, Evangel slowing began to pull away. Twice, Lindenwood got within two points, but the Crusaders had an answer each time and moments later evened the match with a 25-21 win.

In the third game, Evangel took an early 5-4 lead and methodically stretched it to 15-10. Lindenwood used a four point burst to cut the lead to one, but the Lady Lions would never get closer. Evangel scored five of the next six points and eventually won 25-18.

The fourth set played out much like the third, except the Crusaders would not allow the Lady Lions to rally. A 9-4 Evangel lead soon stretched to 21-15. Two straight points by Lindenwood cut the lead to four, but the Crusaders closed out the match with four straight points to hand Lindenwood its first conference loss since losing to William Jewell on October 25, 2006.

Ellen Fandry and Krista Yoder led the Lady Lions with 15 kills apiece. Alexandria Malam collected 24 assists and Kelsey Biggs had 15. Yoder added two aces.

Alyssa Showers posted a team-high 13 digs, and Yoder totaled seven blocks.

Lindenwood (9-6, 2-1) will play in the Olivet Nazarene tournament this weekend.