by Madison Parrott, Athletic Communications
NWOSU faced their first Great American Conference opponent of the season Tuesday evening as they played East Central University. gh adversity with 33 ties and 17 lead changes.
The Rangers aggressive serving and offense in the last three sets allowed them to take the match 3-1. Northwestern had a total of 54 team kills, seven service aces and 13 team blocks.
Behind the continued leadership of senior Jennifer Eubanks, who had 15 kills while also earning seven blocks, the Rangers snagged the last three sets in quick fashion. Senior Kiauna Clark was not far behind with 11 kills and seven blocks herself. Kaitlyn Robinson led the team with 44 assists while also leading in digs with fourteen.
In the first set the Rangers had a back-and-forth battle with the Tigers. There was a total of 12 ties and six led changes in the first set alone. Northwestern appeared to take an early lead, but the Tigers came roaring back to tie the score 16-16.
There were nine different tied scores from there until the end of the game. East Central took advantage of a few errors at the end of the game to take the first set 28-26.
The Rangers immediately took the momentum back from East Central behind the arms of Eubanks and Kaydee Honeycutt. Northwestern battled to tie the game 10-10 NWOSU finalized the game on an East Central error to take set two 25-15.
Nrothwestern took the next set 25-18.
The Northwestern volleyball team is scheduled to play this weekend at 11 a.m. against Randall University and at 2 p.m. against Drury University Friday Sept. 20 at the SNU/OBU Tournament in Bethany, Okla.