By Logan Jones
Asst. Sports Editor
The Northwestern volleyball team had quite the schedule this past week as they took on Panhandle State, Southwestern Oklahoma State and East Central University.
The Lady Rangers took on the Aggies of Panhandle State on Tuesday, winning in three straight sets.
This was NWOSU’s first match at the Percefull Fieldhouse this season and the black and red did not disappoint, jumping ahead of the Aggies 8-0 before Panhandle State was able to score its first point.
The Rangers cruised through the rest of the set, winning 25-9.
In the second set, Northwestern picked up right where they left off. With 7 kills from junior Jennifer Eubanks, the Rangers took the set 25-12.
Eubanks finished with 11 kills on the night.
NWOSU jumped out yet again in the third set, leading 8-2.
Thanks to some big-time kills from senior Hannah Williams and redshirt freshman Kiauna Clark, the Lady Rangers took the set by the score of 25-14, and the match.
The girls then made the trip down to Weatherford to play the Bulldogs of Southwestern Oklahoma State.
In the first set, the Lady Rangers fell behind 16-8 early on.
The red and black were able to battle back, pulling within two points, but by then it was too little to late as the Bulldogs took the set 25-21.
Northwestern couldn’t seem to get anything going in the second set.
Despite posting 10 kills in the set, the Rangers were unable to keep pace with SWOSU, losing the set 25-14.
The Lady Rangers finally found their first lead of the night in the third set, going up 6-3.
However, the Bulldogs wouldn’t stay down for long.
After battling back, the momentum changed in favor of Southwestern, who went on to take the set 25-16, and the match.
The red and black finished out the week back in Alva at Percefull Fieldhouse, where they took on the East Central University Tigers.
Looking for revenge after the loss to SWOSU, the Lady Rangers jumped out to a quick lead in the first set.
After recording 16 kills in the set, Northwestern took the set by score of 25-17.
The second set proved to be one of the Lady Ranger’s best outings, as they posted a .371 hitting percentage.
Seniors Brooklynn Hesson and Hannah Williams each posted four kills each while Williams recorded a team high 15 digs.
Northwestern took the set, 25-14.
The third set was the closest set of the night.
The Tigers matched the Rangers point for point until NWOSU went on a 7-2 run, giving them the separation needed to take the set, 25-19, and the match.
Next up, the Lady Rangers will play Southern Nazarene at Percefull Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Sept. 18 before hitting the road and taking on the Savage Storm of Southeastern Oklahoma State on Sept. 21 and Lubbock Christian University on Sept. 22.