HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – SWOSU Volleyball won the opening set against 5-seeded Ouachita on Friday night but could not pull out a close second set which spiraled into three consecutive set losses and an exit from the GAC Tournament.
The loss puts an end to the historic 2024 season – a year in which SWOSU captured the first regular season conference championship in program history and eclipsed the 20-win milestone for a fourth time, finishing 21-8 overall and 15-1 in GAC play.
SWOSU fell victim to a Ouachita squad who hit .290 in the match with a consistent 17 kills and five errors or fewer in each of the four sets. They were led by Kailey Thedford who racked up 27 kills herself – the most of any opposing player this season. The previous most a player had finished with against SWOSU was 21, which came in five sets. Thedford produced 27 against the Dawgs in four.
On the defensive side, the Tigers racked up 99 digs against the Bulldog attack. That's second most a Bulldog opponent has had this season.
SWOSU pulled out the first set by closing the frame with three consecutive points with the score tied at 22-22. Prior to the tie, the Dawgs had control of the set nearly throughout, but the Tigers ended up notching seven of the next eight points trailing 21-15 to make things interesting.
In the second set, the Bulldogs led 14-9 before OUA eventually had things back even at 17-17. Both teams went on runs from there, but the Tigers got to set point first and eventually claimed the set with a 26-24 win. SWOSU fought off one set point but could not flip the Tiger control.
After a tight second set, things unraveled. SWOSU let the third set get away from them in a 25-12 setback and then suffered a 25-19 loss in the fourth. They did not hold a lead at any point of either frame.
Lacy Mott finished with a team high 13 kills and one final double-double with 21 digs to cap off her career. Seniors Taryn Galt and Samantha Kuzma both added 10 kills apiece. Jada Permenter finished with 22 digs to lead the team. Kuzma also had four blocks.
Nine seniors played their final game in a SWOSU jersey.
