Drovers Make Program History with Victory at OPSU

GOODWELL, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (7-6, 4-4 SAC) made program history as they earned their first ever victory against Oklahoma Panhandle State University (3-9, 2-6 SAC). The Drovers continued their flair for the dramatic with a five-set victory at OPSU. The match was USAO's third consecutive match to go all five sets, having won against Central Christian College and suffered defeat at Wayland Baptist University.

 On Saturday, the Drovers opened the match with an exciting 31-29 victory, but OPSU managed to win the next two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-19, respectively. USAO pulled the match even and forced the fifth set with an exhilarating 25-23 victory in the fourth. The Drovers captured victory with a 15-11 triumph in the fifth and deciding set.

At the conclusion of the match both teams had very similar statistics. OPSU concluded with 82 total points scored, while USAO finished with 77. The Drover offense closed with 67 kills on a .179 attack percentage, while the Pioneers produced 64 kills on a .249 attack percentage. The Drover defense contributed 83 digs, while the Pioneers had 94. 

Victoria Southerland and Bruna Duarte led the USAO offensive attack with 16 kills each. Southerland collected her fourth double-double of the season as she finished with 14 digs on defense. Duarte's 16 kills was a season-high and she closed with an impressive .387 attack percentage. 

Gabrielle Gunnoe finished with 13 kills on a .270 attack percentage, while Samantha Perez followed with 10 kills and 3.0 total blocks. Isaline Jacqucemyn added seven kills and Giselle Calderon tallied five terminations. 

Madison Garcia was the key distributer for USAO, dishing out 31 assists, in addition to three aces and five digs. Kalaya Pierce followed with 26 assists, along with nine digs. 

Yaiza Larrauri anchored the defense with 32 digs and three assists, while Andrea Maldonado closed with 10 digs and four assists.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on Tuesday, September 26 when they make the short trip to OKC to face Oklahoma City University at 6:00 PM. 

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