All’s Well in Goodwell: Drovers Win Five-Set Thriller at OPSU

GOODWELL, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (12-8, 6-5 SAC) battled their way to an impressive five-set victory on the road at Oklahoma Panhandle State University (8-10, 6-5 SAC). OPSU holds a 13-3 advantage in the all-time series against USAO, but the Drovers have found success since 2023, having won three of the last five meetings.

The Drovers are now halfway through conference play, and they have faced each opponent once, producing a 6-5 record and sit in a tie for fifth place. Overall, USAO has a12-8 record this season, just two wins shy of matching the program record for a single-season, achieved in 2021 when the Drovers finished 14-17.

On Saturday, the Drovers got off to a tremendous start, outlasting the Aggies 26-24 in each of the first two sets. However, OPSU went on to force a fifth set by winning the third set 25-18, followed by a 25-22 triumph in the fourth set.

USAO opened the fifth set on a 4-0 run and used that early advantage to propel themselves to a 15-10 win in the final frame. 

As a team, the Drover offense produced .153 attack percentage with 56 kills, while the Aggies recorded only a .119 attack percentage and 60 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 53 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 86 digs and 14.0 total blocks. OPSU produced 57 assists, 94 digs, and 6.0 total blocks. Additionally, the Aggies scored on eight aces, while the Drovers served up five aces.  

The USAO offense was powered by a pair of tremendous double-double performances from Chloe Conover and Samantha Perez. Conover produced 14 kills, 20 digs and 5.0 total blocks, while Perez provided 11 kills, 11 digs, and 3.0 blocks. 

Morgan Kobe was also a force at the net, concluding with nine kills on a .412 attack percentage, in addition to three aces and 9.0 blocks. Giselle Calderon chipped in eight points on a .333 attack percentage, and 5.0 blocks. 

Alacia Ledoux also finished with eight kills, along with 14 digs. 

Ytzel Garcia distributed 41 assists, in addition to seven digs and a pair of blocks. Bailey Makahununiu dished out seven assists, along with 11 digs and an ace.  

Brynlee Birney anchored USAO's defense with 16 digs and four assists. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action on Friday, October 10 as they host Nelson University. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 PM CT inside Drover Fieldhouse. 

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