Women's Volleyball | 9/20/2019 10:28:00 PM

GOODWELL, Okla. – Oklahoma Panhandle State University's volleyball team had the No.2 team in the Sooner Athletic Conference – John Brown University – on the ropes, but was unable to finish off the visitors, falling by a 3-2 score at Anchor D Arena at Oscar Williams Field House. The Aggies (6-7, 3-3 SAC) won the first two sets by scores of 25-21, 25-20, before losing the last three to the Golden Eagles (10-3, 4-1 SAC), 22-25, 22-25, 8-15.
 
Panhandle bulldozed its way through set one, thanks to a great string of serves by freshman Sydnee Saunders. Tied at 8-8, Saunders slammed down a kill to put her team ahead and also assumed the serving duties. Saunders reeled off seven-consecutive winning points as OPSU bolted ahead, 15-8, and never looked back.
 
In set two, the match stayed within three points most of the way, with the Aggies leading 18-15 before another Golden Eagle rally got JBU to within one, 19-18.  But sophomore libero Ashley Sanchez had three-straight winning serves and OPSU never trailed again in the set. In all, Sanchez had six point-scoring serves in the set.
 
In both sets three and four, the teams battled closely until mid-set, when the Golden Eagles created separation. By winning both sets, JBU forced the fifth and deciding set to 15 points.   John Brown notched the first three points and led wire-to-wire in the set, 15-8.
 
Panhandle senior Kendra Butler led all attackers with 16 kills and boasted .303 hitting percentage. Butler also had a match-high eight blocks, including three solo, and four service aces, as well.
 
Saunders and teammate Hannah Murray each had identical double-doubles of 12 kills and 17 digs. Murray had four blocks and Saunders one.
 
Setter Keeley Johnston had her own double-double with a match-leading 40 assists and 13 digs. Johnston also registered five kills and three blocks.
 
Both squads utilized their front line defenses to lead the way. The Aggies had 14 total blocks and the Golden Eagles had 13.
 
The Aggies will be off until Friday (Sept. 27/7 p.m.), when they host Southwestern Assemblies of God University at Anchor D Arena.