SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. - Oklahoma Panhandle State University's volleyball team saw its modest two-match win streak snapped, losing a 3-0 decision at John Brown University. The Aggies (9-14, 6-9 SAC) lost the Sooner Athletic Conference contest to the Golden Eagles (21-7, 12-4 SAC) by set scores of 25-8, 25-17, 25-15 at John Sheehy Court.
With five matches remaining for OPSU, its magic number to clinch a SAC post-season tournament berth is down to one. A Panhandle State win, or any Langston loss, down the stretch will mathematically assure the Aggies of a spot in the eight-team SAC tourney.
In the first set, the JBU scored the first four points of the day, and eventually soared out to a 7-1 lead to open the match, never looking back. John Brown had runs of five and six points during that initial set on its way to the win.
In the second and third sets, Panhandle kept things closer, but still found itself playing catch-up to the Golden Eagles in the final scores, losing by eight (25-17) and ten (25-15) to close out the match.
Mia Moore and
Katelyn Faulk led the OPSU attack with five kills, apiece. Moore had a team-best .556 hitting percentage, making no errors in nine attempts. She also had two block assists.
Senior
Ruth Ard continued her strong defense of late, adding three more blocks to her coffers. In the last six matches, alone, Ard had made a total of 27 blocks, 11 of which have been of the solo variety.
Richelle Carroll had a match-leading total of 11 digs, while also booking one block and a pair of kills. Sophomore libero
Ashley Sanchez added nine digs, while
Keeley Johnston and
Sydnee Saunders helped the back row with four digs each.
Johnston also paced the Aggies with 11 assists. Faulk made eight "helps" in the match.
The different for OPSU came in the attack column. Panhandle hit a chilly .083 as a team, while the Golden Eagles knocked down .393 percent of their attacks.
Panhandle next plays on Tuesday (Oct. 29) at Wayland Baptist University. In the first meeting between the teams, the Pioneers swept the Aggies at Anchor D Arena, 3-0, back on September 17.
