Late Lead Slips Away From USAO at Central Christian

MCPHERSON, Kan. – Tuesday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (8-14, 5-10 SAC) suffered their fifth loss in a row as they fell in five sets at Central Christian College (7-17, 4-11 SAC). USAO has now gone five sets eight times this season, and they own a 2-6 record when the match goes the distance. Additionally, USAO is now 3-5 against CCC all-time, and they have never won on the Tigers' home court. 

The Drovers got off to a rough start in the first set and suffered a 25-22 loss to start the match. USAO responded well to earn a hard-fought 25-21 victory in the second set to pull the match even at 1-1. The Drovers took an early lead in the third set and went on to claim another 25-21 win to take a 2-1 lead in the match. The fourth set was evenly contested but the Tigers were able to cling to a 25-20 victory to force a fifth set. The Drovers got off to a hot start in the fifth set and held an early 9-0 lead prior to allowing the Tigers to storm back for a 17-15 win to close out the match. 

At the conclusion of the match, the USAO offense produced 48 kills on a .113 attack percentage, while CCC had 58 kills on a .106 attack percentage. The Drover defense contributed 95 digs and 14.0 total blocks, while the Tigers had 91 digs and 9.5 blocks. USAO scored on seven aces, while Central Christian scored on 14 aces. 

Victoria Southerland led the USAO offense with her eighth double-double of the season, with 15 kills and 19 digs. Additionally, she contributed three aces and five block assists.

Bruna Duarte concluded with 13 kills and five digs, while Gabrielle Gunnoe chipped in 11 kills and four block assists. 

Madison Garcia and Kalaya Pierce each finished with 21 assists. Garcia had six digs, while Pierce had nine. 

Yaiza Larrauri anchored the defense with 30 digs, and she now has produced three 30-dig performances this season. Larrauri has been superb on defense, and she was rewarded with the first SAC Defensive Player of the Week award in program history for her incredible performances last week against #24 SAGU and #14 Texas Wesleyan.

Andrea Maldonado finished with 20 digs, four assists, and a pair of aces. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action on Thursday, October 19 as they travel to Langston University. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 PM CT inside C.F. Gayles Field House.

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