#14 Texas Wesleyan Withstands USAO’s Upset Bid

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (8-13, 5-9 SAC) made program-history in a gut-wrenching five-set loss against No. 14 ranked Texas Wesleyan University (19-3, 14-0 SAC).

Prior to Saturday, the Drovers had never won a set against a ranked opponent, but a rejuvenated USAO squad came out ready to play and was within two points of pulling off the massive upset and winning the match. 

Texas Wesleyan opened the match with a 25-16 win in the first set, but USAO rebounded to collect a 25-21 victory in the second set to even the match at 1-1. The Rams once again won by a margin of 25-16 in the third set, but the Drovers were able to force a fifth set with an impressive 25-18 victory in the fourth set. Both teams traded the lead early in the fifth set, but the Rams were able to cling to a narrow 15-13 triumph to wrap up the match.

USAO has now gone five sets seven times this season, and they own a 2-5 record when the match goes the distance.

At the conclusion of the match, both teams finished with 55 kills on offense. The Drover offense produced a .127 attack percentage, while the Rams closed with a .169 attack percentage. The Drover defense contributed 86 digs and 6.0 total blocks, while the Rams had 92 digs and 7.0 blocks. USAO scored on five aces, while Texas Wesleyan scored on seven aces. 

 Three different Drovers concluded with double-digit kills to lead the offense. Bruna Duarte led the way with a season-high of 16 digs on a solid .273 attack percentage. Victoria Southerland followed recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 15 kills and 19 digs. Southerland also added a pair of aces and a pair of block assists. Gabrielle Gunnoe closed the match with 12 kills and three block assists.

Isaline Jacqucemyn finished with seven kills, followed by Giselle Calderon with four kills and three block assists.

Kalaya Pierce finished with a team-high of 24 assists, along with five digs. Madison Garcia dished out 22 assists and had three digs on defense. 

Yaiza Larrauri concluded with a career-high of 34 digs, in addition to four assists. Andrea Maldonado matched her season-high with 19 digs.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will aim to bounce back as they travel to McPherson, Kan. to face Central Christian College on Tuesday, October 17 at 7:00 PM CT.

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