Drovers Fall in Four on the Road in OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Friday evening, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (16-14, 10-11 SAC) was dealt a four-set loss on the road at Oklahoma City University (15-12, 12-9 SAC). 

The Drovers slide to eighth in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings with one match remaining in the regular season. The Drovers have already qualified for their fifth consecutive SAC Tournament appearance, which will begin on Nov. 11.

The Drovers opened the match on a 5-1 run, but the Stars turned things around and held a 13-10 advantage midway through the set. USAO kept the score close, but OCU was able to hang on for a 25-21 win.

USAO once again used a 5-1 run to open the second set and led 13-8 midway through. The Drovers held off the Stars late in the set and pulled the match even with a 25-22 victory.

With the match tied 1-1, the Stars opened the third set on a 5-1 run of their own and led 13-7 at the halfway point. The Stars claimed a 2-1 lead in the match with a 25-16 win in the third set.

OCU opened the fourth set on a 5-1run and went on to wrap up the match with a 25-15 triumph. 

As a team, the Drover offense produced a .162 attack percentage with 37 kills, while the Stars recorded a .262 attack percentage and 61 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 36 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 49 digs and 8.0 total blocks. OCU produced 54 assists, 64 digs, and 4.0 total blocks. The Drovers tallied five aces, while the Stars had 10.

Chloe Conover and Victoria Wright with 11 kills each, followed by Jaliyah Cox with 10. 

Ytzel Garcia distributed 28 assists, in addition to five digs, two kills, and a block.

Brynlee Birney anchored USAO's defense with 19 digs.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 8 as they wrap up the regular season at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Okla. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 PM CT inside Pickens-Springer Gym.

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