Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4 Goodwell, Okla.—The Oscar Williams Field House was buzzing with action this weekend playing host to the fifth annual Aggies Challenge Volleyball Tournament to open the 2015 athletics season for OPSU Athletics.

This was one the most competitive tournaments in the history of the event, with five of the eight matches going into extra sets, every game was a battle to the end. The Aggies played the opening match against Fort Lewis College; both teams' first games of the season. Fort Lewis took the first two sets 25-15 and 25-18 and then the Aggies turned up the heat in the third winning 25-21 over the Skyhawks. FLC came back in the fourth set to take the win in game one.

Sterling College made quick work of Northwestern Oklahoma State University with a three-set victory in Friday's second match. NWOSU was up again next for a matchup with the Aggies who came ready to play. It was a back-and-forth battle throughout the set until OPSU pulled ahead 20-15 on a four-point streak with senior Megan Archuleta behind the line to serve. The Rangers answered with four points of their own pulling within two points when a service error gave the ball back the Aggies. Junior transfer Madigan Gonzales served up three points in a row and senior Celci Bakos finished things off with a kill to take a 25-19 victory. Northwestern then found their rhythm again and took the match after winning three sets in a row (25-20, 25-14 and 25-18.)

The final match of the day on Friday was another four-set shoot-out between Fort Lewis and Sterling. Both teams competed hard throughout with Fort Lewis taking the first set to extra points 26-24; but Sterling came out on top with wins in the last three sets (25-18, 25-20 and 26-24) to finish Friday as the undefeated tournament leader.

Fort Lewis opened play on Saturday with and intense match-up against Northwestern. The Skyhawks won the battle in four sets that went 30-28, 25-23, 21-25 and 25-20. OPSU then faced an undefeated Sterling team and snapped their winning streak in and exciting three-set victory. The Aggies were down by seven points (14-21) when junior Abigail Reinick stepped up with five consecutive serves pulling the Aggies within three points of the lead. Emily Goeken then put up a crucial block to tie the game 22-22. The remainder of the set went point-for-point until senior Bakos landed a great serve for the go-ahead point and was followed up with a block by Gonzales for a 27-25 win. Bakos was hot at the line in game two serving eight straight points including back-to back aces to help the Aggies take the second set 25-20. In another heated set, the Aggies snapped the Lady Warriors' winning streak with a 25-18 victory in game three.

After a short break between matches the Aggies were up again to compete in the Consolation Match against Northwestern Oklahoma State; each team with one victory and two losses). The Aggies remained competitive but fell to the Ranges in three sets (17-25, 21-25 and 18-25.)

For the tournament OPSU totaled 120 kills led by Madigan Gonzales with 25; the Aggies averaged a .138 hitting percentage. Gonzales also led in blocks with eight solos and two assists as well as in points scored totaling 36 points for the weekend. Dejiana Rubio led at libero with 32 digs and Megan Archuleta served up ten service aces in her four games played. Abigail Reinick led in assists with 53 followed by Bakos with 44.

Coach Mike Stephens was pleased with the overall competition saying, "This was the most competitive group of teams we've had in the last three years.  We competed well and saw glimpses of the team we can be.  We need to learn to trust our teammates, compete for every point and be fearless.  It's clear that this is the most talented group of volleyball athletes we have had in some time; possibly since I have been here. The future for the program is bright indeed."

Volleyball fans can see the team in action again this week as the Aggies open Heartland Conference play with two games starting Wednesday at 6 p.m. with a matchup against 2-2 St. Edward's University; the Hilltoppers competed in the Heartland Conference Championship in 2014. OPSU will take on Dallas Baptist (3-1) Thursday evening at 5 p.m.  Live stats and video links are available on the volleyball schedule page for those unable to make the games.