WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Volleyball survived a dramatic opening set before settling in and pulling away from Southeastern Oklahoma State for a 3-0 victory Tuesday night inside the Pioneer Event Center.
The Bulldogs won 29-27, 25-21 and 25-18 to improve to 9-6 overall and 3-1 in Great American Conference play. SWOSU grew more efficient as the match progressed, hitting better than .350 in each of the final two sets while controlling the net with 12.5 total blocks.
SWOSU appeared headed for a comfortable opening-set victory after building leads of 14-5 and 24-18. Southeastern fought off six set points during a late surge, however, and eventually moved in front 27-26.
The Bulldogs remained composed and closed the set with three consecutive points. A Southeastern attack error tied the score before Katja Blanchat, Mackenzie Sims and Jenna Houk combined for a block that put SWOSU back in front. Another attack error finished the 29-27 win.
Southeastern carried that momentum into the second set by scoring the first three points, but SWOSU gradually worked its way back. Neither team led by more than two through a 15-15 tie before the Bulldogs began to separate.
SWOSU scored six of the next nine points to build a 21-18 advantage, then took four of the final five. Houk and Layla Collins supplied two kills apiece during the closing stretch as the Bulldogs claimed the set 25-21.
The Dawgs established control much earlier in the third, using a balanced attack to race ahead 13-5. Southeastern responded with six unanswered points to trim the margin to two, but Houk stopped the run and sparked four straight SWOSU points.
The Savage Storm came no closer than four the rest of the way. SWOSU scored five of the final seven points to win 25-18 and complete the sweep.
Houk led all players with 16 kills and added six digs. Collins finished with 11 kills on a .304 hitting percentage, while Sydnee Winfrey contributed seven kills and a match-high nine blocks. Morgan Ritchie added seven kills and three blocks.
Sims directed the Bulldog offense with 33 assists while adding four kills, six digs and three blocks. Jada Permenter led the back row with 13 digs.
SWOSU hit .278 for the match and held Southeastern to .147. The Bulldogs finished with advantages in kills, 47-42, and blocks, 12.5-6.
The Bulldogs return to the road Thursday for a 6 p.m. GAC matchup against Northwestern Oklahoma State in Alva.
