The Volleyball team’s time in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament came to a halt in the semifinals Friday at Hutcherson Center in Plainview, Texas.
Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla., ranked 25th in the NAIA, eliminated OCU 25-11, 25-14, 29-27. Earlier Friday, the Stars won 25-17, 25-23, 25-15 over Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, to notch OCU’s first 20-win season since 2010.
The women started 5-0 in their first season with Coach Kyle Steele. The Stars received another five-match winning streak later in the season. The Stars reached their No. 20 win Oct. 23.
“We met our goal of 20 wins and gave ourselves a legitimate chance at the conference tournament to extend our season,” Steele said. “We made a steady incline of progress as a team from the beginning to the end of the season.”
In the third set against Oklahoma Baptist University, senior Meghan Irwin pounded a kill to put the Stars up 9-3, but Oklahoma Baptist responded by taking a 19-14 lead.
OCU rallied to tie the set 23-23, and tied the game four more times after that.
“We played some of the best volleyball all season and showed real mental toughness after getting punched in the mouth early,” Steele said. “I can’t say enough about the heart of this team and their leaders and look forward to building on a good season. I am very excited about the future of OCU volleyball.”
Sophomore Kristen Macy posted her 16th double-double of the season with 12 kills and 10 digits against Oklahoma Baptist. Junior Taylor Chase supplied the Stars with her fourth double-double with 23 assists and 12 digs.
Senior Kelley Shiels contributed 12 digs, and Irwin had seven kills and six digs for OCU.
Macy led against Southwestern Assemblies of God with 17 kills and 16 digs, while Irwin produced 11 kills, eight digs and two aces.
Chase provided 37 assists, three blocks and two kills, while freshman Holly Randall provided seven kills and four blocks. Shiels scooped 10 digs.
In the second set, Irwin gave OCU set point with an ace, and Macy closed out the set with a kill.
Four seniors completed their college careers with the tournament. The seniors contributed to Oklahoma City’s 66 victories and three NAIA scholar team awards over the past four years.
Irwin finished with the second highest kill total in OCU’s history at 1,296 while also accumulating 529 digs, 298 blocks and 42 aces. She became the Stars’ first four-time all-conference performer while notching SAC player of the week for Oct. 13-19 and two-league hitter of the week awards. She is pursuing an exercise science degree.
Shiels picked up 639 digs and 15 aces during her four years at OCU. Shiels turned in the 12th 30-dig performance in OCU history and received two SAC libero of the week nods as well as honorable-mention all-SAC this season. Shiels is studying accounting and English.
Junior Chazmin Franklin will complete her degree in biomedical sciences and pre-pharmacy this year. Franklin numbered 105 kills, 45 digs and 28 blocks.
Senior Aspen Healy totaled 287 kills, 155 blocks, 123 digs and seven aces in her three years at OCU. Healy is working towards a biomedical sciences degree.
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