Siloam Springs, Ark.—The Panhandle State volleyball team showed up ready to play and put in three competitive sets against John Brown University on Saturday.

Despite dauntless contention through three rousing games, the Aggies were defeated 25-23, 25-19 and 15-15. Freshman Ashley Sanchez served up a three-point session in set one to boost the Aggies into a 5-4 lead in set one. A kill by Kali Kenny and two Golden Eagle errors helped hold a 7-6 edge for the Aggies, but JBU turned the tables with four straight kills to swing a 10-7 advantage. Panhandle State battled back from a five-point deficit to reclaim a one-point lead (18-17), and would wage a resolute effort throughout the remainder of the set.

The Aggies trailed by five points early in set two, but rallied to tie things up at 11-11 and would even the score three more times before falling by six points in the end. With a stirring start in set three, Panhandle State owned the lead from the first point through a 6-6 tie. Lauren Hastings added the first two Aggie points on assists from Cailyn Berry and a strong service from McKenna Clement. JBU went on to outscore the Aggies to earn their fifth conference win of the season. The Aggies now hold a 2-12 record on the season and sit 1-5 in Sooner Athletic Conference play.

For the match, the Aggies posted their second-highest hitting percentage of the season averaging .218. The Golden Eagles achieved a .365 hitting percentage and landed 52 kills to Panhandle's 31. Senior Lauren Hastings led the team in kills with ten on the day, followed closely by junior Kendra Butler, who tallied eight; Hastings also added two points on service aces. Summer Middleton and McKenna Clement combined for 31 digs and setter Cailyn Berry totaled a game-high of 24 assists.

Panhandle State volleyball visits McPherson, Kan. next week for an SAC matchup against Central Christian College on Sept. 21. The team then travels to Langston for another conference contest on Saturday. The Aggies return to Anchor D Arena on Sept. 27 to host Southwestern Christian College at 6 p.m.