By RANGER ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
East Central University defeated Northwestern Oklahoma State University women’s volleyball by a final score of 3-1 on Sept. 30 at the Kerr Activities Center in Ada.
Hannah Williams led the way for the Rangers with 10 kills. Vanessa Maile also produced a stat line with 21 assists to go along with nine digs.
East Central University used the home court atmosphere to jump out to an early 6-0 lead in the first set. A few Tiger attack errors, as well as two kills from Williams brought the set back to 10-8, but an immediate five point Tiger run allowed them to keep the Rangers at a comfortable distance and take the first set 25-15.
The second set started out with an early service ace from Natalie Fahey, but another strong beginning to the set opened up a 12-5 lead for the Tigers. However, two kills from Williams followed by two more service aces quickly narrowed the gap midway through the set. A 9-1 run in favor of the Rangers brought them ahead at the 15-14 mark in the set. After a stretch of back and forth points, three key kills from Asia Pipkin late in the set propelled the Rangers to a 25-20 victory.
Northwestern took the momentum they built in the second set and jumped out to a 7-4 lead early in the third set. The Tigers battled back and used a 7-2 run at the 10-8 mark of the set to pull away from the Rangers and win 25-15
The fourth set opened up with a back and forth battle, but the Tigers eventually pulled ahead with a 7-1 run at the 15-14 mark of the set. The Tigers finished out the set by winning 25-19.
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University volleyball women’s volleyball team then travelled to Durant to continue the Great American Conference play against the Savage Storm of Southeastern. Oklahoma State University on Oct. 1.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University defeated Northwestern Oklahoma State University by a final score of 3-0.
Pipkin led the way for the Rangers with eight kills and 11 digs. She was also second on the team, hitting .240 throughout the contest. Maile led the way with 18 assists for the match.
The first set started out competitively as the largest lead either team could build was just four points. The back and forth flow of the game continued all the way until the 20-20 mark, where the Savage Storms finally pulled away with a 5-2 run, taking the first set 25-22.
A five point run midway through the second set put the Savage Storms ahead, providing enough separation to take the second set 25-15. The storm finished off the sweep of the Rangers in the third set with a 25-19 victory.
Northwestern will continue the action at 7 p.m. on Friday at Magnolia, Arkansas when the Rangers continue the Great American Conference play and take on the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas University.