Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Box Score Goodwell, Okla.—The Aggies put up a great effort Wednesday evening in a Pink Out match against Lubbock Christian that ended in a three-set victory for the Lady Chaps (25-22, 25-18, 25-20). However the disappointing outcome did not darken the spirit of the event, as the Panhandle Volleyball team had pink bracelets for sale and held a serving contest during intermission for donations to be given to the Pink Heals-Panhandle Chapter in support of community members within the area who are currently battling cancer.

It looked to be the Aggies' night as the first set saw the home team claim the lead seven times throughout the game, including a 20-19 advantage towards the end of the set. The Lady Chaps came back with five straight points and took the first set by a score of 25-22.

Although both teams improved on hitting percentage in the second set, it was LCU who maintained a steady lead throughout the game. The only tied score came at the 1-1 mark on an attack error by the Lady Chaps. In the end Lubbock Christian earned the seven-point win 25-18.

The Aggies then came back strong in set three winning the first three points off the serve of Julia Ibarra. Panhandle maintained the advantage through and 8-8 tie, when an attack error on the Aggies turned the lead over to the Lady Chaps. LCU controlled the lead for the remainder of the game, despite a big push at the end when the Aggies battled for a comeback and narrowed the distance to 22-20. An LCU kill turned the ball over for the final time and the Lady Chaps hung on for the 25-20 win.

Head Coach Mike Stephens commented after the game, "We played some of our best volleyball this evening, yet fell to LCU in straight sets. I'm very proud of our team that never quits."

Stephens' team was led on the court Wednesday by senior hitters Emily Goeken and Bristen Graves who accounted for half of the team kills in the game; the pair combined for 17 of the Aggies' 34 kills with Goeken scoring on nine and Graves with eight. Emily Hanaway held the game-high in kills totaling 12 for LCU and also led the game in points scoring on one service ace and one solo block.

The Aggies will continue Heartland Conference play over Fall Break as they travel to Arkansas and Kansas this weekend. Friday will see a matchup with UA-Fort Smith at 7 p.m. followed by a Noon game against Newman on Saturday. Panhandle Volleyball remains on the road through October and will return to the Oscar Williams Field House on Thursday, Nov. 3 for the 4th Annual Halloween Spiketacular and a conference match against St. Edward's at 7 p.m.