CANTON, Mo. – The Vikings defeated the Culver-Stockton College Wildcats in the opening game of Heart of America play, the Wildcats forced five sets but the Vikings would come out Victorious with scores of 25-21, 22-25, 27-25, 25-26, and 15-13. 

The Vikings were led by Heleine Filipe, who was once a former Culver-Stockton College Wildcat with her impressive 25 kills at .511%, her lone assist and four digs. 

Not too far behind Filipe was Viking Sydney Beasley with 12 kills at .348. Many Vikings would attribute the ball as a trio would see double digit assists - Emily Byrd (19), Jenna Bentz (18), and Chevy Wagner Chun with 12. 

Wagner-Chun tallied 4 aces as well as 29 digs.

The first set was close and would remain that way throughout, until the Vikings would put away a kill from Brooklyn Roder, the Wildcats would commit 3-straight errors solidifying set one for the Vikings.  

The teams went back-and-forth throughout the second set, but Culver ultimately pulled ahead late to tie the match up 1-1 with a 25-22 win.

The Vikings started fast in the third set, jumping out to a 5-1 lead and leading basically the entire way. The Vikings were up 22-19 but would hit a rough patch for the Wildcats to come back and steal the third set in extra points, 27-25. 

The fourth set was a breeze for the Vikings that would allow Filipe to have her moment for the Vikings as she went for back to back kills assisted by Bentz to send things to five with a final set score of 25-16. 

The fifth set was another tough battle.The Vikings were able to close it out with Kylie Hoben and Helenie Filipe shutting the door on Culver with a block winning overall 3-2 with a fifth set score of 15-13. 

The Vikings will prepare for the Eagles of Central Methodist this coming Friday, September 15th. The match will begin at 7:00 pm.