BETHANY, Okla. – SWOSU Volleyball closed out the final day of the GAC/MIAA Crossover by splitting the day's slate. The Bulldogs lost to Missouri Western, a team receiving votes in the AVCA poll, 3-1 in the morning session before taking care of business against Newman 3-1.
The Dawgs now look forward to the GAC opener against a familiar foe in Oklahoma Baptist. The two top teams in the GAC preseason poll will meet in Weatherford on Tuesday, September 24th at 6:00 pm.
SWOSU vs (RV) Missouri Western
L, 1-3 (20-25, 27-25, 21-25,19-25)
SWOSU had a slow start to the match, falling behind early to a tough Missouri Western team. After coming away will a close second set, the Dawgs could not continue the momentum and eventually fell 3-1 against the Griffons.
Missouri Western, 7-2 on the year with two losses to nationally ranked teams, limited SWOSU to a .145 hitting percentage with 28 errors. This includes a first set where the Dawgs were held to a .071 hitting percentage with nine errors.
In the successful second set, SWOSU jumped ahead 24-19 before the Griffons leveled the set at 24-24. Tied 25-25, the Dawgs finally rattled off two straight points capped off with a
Lacy Mott Kill to capture the set.
Mott (.179) led the Dawgs for an eighth straight game with 13 kills, followed by
Taryn Galt (10) and
Zoey Sparks (9).
Zoey Sparks had a season high nine blocks, beating her previous high of three in the season opener.
Terez Chavez and
Cameron Turner matched each other with 20 assists.
SWOSU vs Newman
W, 3-1 (25-13, 25-16,17-25, 25-16)
The Dawgs took early control against the Jets in the second match of the day. SWOSU never trailed in the opening set, leading to a 25-13 win while hitting .250 to just .071 for Newman.
The second set was more of the same, winning 25-16 and improving on their own hitting percentage (.275) and lowering the Jets to just (.054) in the set. SWOSU also led in service aces (2-0) and blocks (4-0) in the set.
SWOSU was not able to close out the match in the third set after hitting a match low .091 while watching Newman hit a match high .375. Newman overcame five service errors in the set to win 25-17.
Trailing 9-7 in the final set, the Dawgs were able to distance themselves following an 8-1 run to stay ahead for good. A match high .297 hitting percentage and three service aces helped finish things off.
Zoey Sparks (.348) led the Dawgs in kills for the first time this year with 11.
Paris Patterson,
Samantha Kuzma and
Lacy Mott all had eight.
Terez Chavez and
Cameron Turner each had 17 assists.
