By TEDDIE HOOKER
Student Reporter
The Northwestern matched up against the rival Southwestern ended with the Rangers on top Tuesday night.
The Rangers sent the Bulldogs home with a 3-1 set score, improving the Ranger record to 6-8 on the season. In the Great American Conference, the Rangers are sitting 3-1. Northwestern will travel to Ada to face the East Central Tigers on Thursday.
In the first set on Tuesday, Cameron Lobb’s serve led to a Ranger point. After falling behind 5-2, the Rangers fought back with Ivanny Blackwood’s kill, Mikayla White’s service ace and Ece Ozdemir’s kill, tying the set at 7-7.
It remained tight until Northwestern gained control, thanks to Erika Ascencio Soriano’s kill, leading 11-10. The Rangers slowly pulled ahead, reaching an 18-13 lead, the largest yet. Southwestern narrowed the gap but fell short at 25-22, giving the Rangers a 1-0 match lead with Soriano sealing the set victory.
NWOSU took a 2-0 lead in the second set, led by Soriano’s kill. SWOSU briefly tied at 4-4, but the Rangers surged ahead with two quick kills from Ozdemir.
Southwestern then went up 11-10 with four straight points. However, Northwestern responded with a 7-point streak, including Soriano’s ace and Ozdemir’s kills, to lead 17-12. The Rangers maintained the advantage, winning 25-19 with Soriano’s final kill.
In set three, Southwestern mounted a comeback, securing three consecutive points after the Rangers initially took the lead. The score was tied at 4-4 thanks to Mariela Jimenez’s kill.
SWOSU gradually inched ahead, holding a 9-7 lead. The Rangers reduced the deficit to one after calling a timeout at 12-8.
Jimenez’s kill and Brooke Miller’s ace brought them within striking distance at 15-14. Despite trailing 22-18, the Rangers mounted a rally with Soriano’s kill and Macy Shreffler’s play, tying the score at 22-21. Southwestern prevailed with a 27-25 win.
In the fourth set, Southwestern began with a 4-0 run. Soriano ignited the Ranger comeback with a powerful kill, followed by another from Blackwood. Southwestern maintained a 9-3 lead, but the Rangers fought back, securing three consecutive points with a Brianda Diaz service ace.
A pivotal kill by Ozdemir brought the Rangers within one, and Jimenez’s powerful strike tied the set at 11. Soriano continued to build momentum, putting the Rangers ahead 13-12 for the first time in the set.
At 13-13, a kill by Lobb edged the Rangers ahead, followed by a block by Jones. NWOSU continued to dominate, reaching an 18-14 lead. With kills from Jones, Ozdemir and Jimenez, the Rangers extended their lead to 21-16.
Southwestern made a comeback, narrowing the gap to one at 23-22, but Soriano sealed the deal with a kill, putting the Rangers up 24-22. A Lobb service ace secured a 25-22 victory.
