Drovers Hang Tough to Win in Five Sets at Langston

LANGSTON, Okla. – Tuesday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (11-13, 7-8 SAC) stayed red-hot with a five-set triumph on the road at Langston University (3-21, 2-14 SAC). With Tuesday's victory, the Drovers now own a 6-1 record against the Lions, including wins in each of their last five meetings.

The Drovers have now won four of their last six matches overall and sit in eighth place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings with seven matches remaining in the regular season. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams in the conference will advance to the SAC Tournament.

 On Tuesday, the Drovers got off to a slow start and suffered a 25-17 loss in the opening set but responded positively with a 25-23 win in the second set to pull the match even at 1-1. Langston went on to claim a 25-21 win in the fourth set, but USAO forced a decisive fifth set with a dominant 25-13 win in the fourth frame. The Drovers jumped out to an early lead in the fifth set and hung on for the 15-12 win. 

As a team, the Drover offense compiled a .135 attack percentage with 59 kills, while the Lions recorded a .132 attack percentage and 46 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 48 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 67 digs and 7.0 total blocks. Langston produced 37 assists, 50 digs, and 9.0 total blocks. Additionally, USAO scored on eight service aces, while LU tallied five aces.  

 Jaliyah Cox led the USAO offense with a season-high of 19 kills on an impressive .318 attack percentage. Laura Barrios Bardi also recorded a season-high of 11 kills, along with four digs and two aces. 

Morgan Kobe and Giselle Calderon each contributed 10 kills in the win. Kobe added 2.0 total blocks and Calderon added 2.5 blocks. 

Bailey Makahununiu delivered a terrific performance, recording her fourth double-double of the season. Makahununiu dished out a career-high of 34 assists, in addition to 12 digs and three kills.

Brynlee Birney anchored USAO's defense with 27 digs, four assists, and a pair of aces. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will continue their busy week tomorrow (Oct. 23) as they host rival Mid-America Christian University at 7:00 PM CT inside Drover Fieldhouse. 

USAO will then host JBU on Friday (Oct. 25) at 7:00 PM CT, followed by College of the Ozarks on Saturday (Oct. 26) at 1:00 PM CT. 

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