Volleyball Comes Up Short Against D-II Competition

The women’s volleyball team lost Saturday Oct. 3 against NCAA Division II teams West Texas A&M and Southwestern Oklahoma State at the WTAMU Fieldhouse.

The Stars lost straights sets 27-25, 25-21, 25-11 to West Texas A&M in the first match, then dropped the second match 23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-18 to Southwestern Oklahoma State. OCU, ranked 23rd in NAIA volleyball, went to 11-5.

Senior middle blocker Tori Leisure led the Stars with 11 kills. Senior setter Heather Watson tallied 29 assists for the Stars. OCU went ahead 25-24 late in the first set from a kill and assist from Leisure and Watson, respectively, but the Buffaloes responded with three straight kills.

Late in the second set, sophomore outside hitter Stefani Nell recorded a kill from an assist by Watson to narrow the gap to 23-21. A buffalo kill and a service ace sealed the set for the Buffaloes. West Texas A&M handled the last set 25-11.

Sophomore libero Dani Chase registered 14 digs in the match and a service ace, while freshman outside hitter Fia Faa’agi scooped up two blocks and the only other service ace for the Stars. Sophomore middle blocker Manon Soraru posted six kills, two blocks and three digs.

Against Southwestern Oklahoma State, senior outside hitter Jami-Rae Renwick helped the Stars win the first set 25-23 with five kills. Watson led the Stars with 12 assists in the first set.

The Stars took the Bulldogs to the brink in the second frame by pulling within one point 24-23 with kills by Faa’agi, Leisure and an attack error from the Bulldogs. Southwestern Oklahoma State secured the set with a block off Faa’agi’s attack.

OCU again in the third set pressed the Bulldogs up until the last point. Watson set up Renwick with a kill to make the score 24-23 in favor of Southwestern, but the Bulldogs ended the set with a kill. Southwestern Oklahoma State pulled away in the last set 25-18.

Watson led the match with 49 assists and had one service ace. Nell led OCU with 17 kills and had seven digs, while Soraru posted four kills, four blocks and three digs. Renwick notched 12 kills, four digs and two blocks. Chase tallied 14 digs and one service ace, while freshman outside hitter Shekinah Clarke had a service ace and eight digs for the Stars.

The Stars continue play against conference foe St. Gregory’s at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 in Shawnee, Okla.