Women's Volleyball | 9/3/2019 8:12:00 PM

 
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Oklahoma Panhandle State University volleyball finished off its pre-league slate of games – also winning for the second time in its last three matches – by sweeping Oklahoma Wesleyan University on the road, 3-0. The Aggies (3-4) defeated the Eagles (2-4) by scores of 25-21, 27-25, 25-13.
 
In the first set, the Aggies raced out to a 6-1 lead, eliciting a quick timeout by the Eagles. Panhandle led by as much as 12 points, 18-6, when OWU called its second and final timeout of game one. But after that stoppage, the Eagles out-scored OPSU 17-1 and climbed to within four at 23-19. The Aggies would eventually win the opening set by a 25-21 margin, withstanding the late OWU charge.
 
Set two was a tight affair from the outset, with the teams staying within a two-point swing in the early going before the Aggies created some distance. With Panhandle down, 8-7, a kill by Kendra Butler was followed by four-consecutive winning serves courtesy of Deagan Dingman, to lead 12-8. The Aggies extended that to 16-10, but OWU wasn't finished. The hosts came back to tie the match at 19-19. It was nip-and-tuck down the stretch before Panhandle sealed the win, 27-25.  
 
With the 2-0 lead in the match, Head Coach Shelby Bartley's crew stepped on the accelerator in set three, jumping ahead 8-3 and forcing a timeout by OWU. That grew to an 18-10 cushion for the Aggies, as the Eagles used their second timeout to try and stem to OPSU momentum. The ploy did not succeed, as the Aggies finished the contest on a 7-3 run and a 25-13 win in game three, closing out the sweep.
 
Butler led the Panhandle State attack, registering nine kills and a .429 attack average for the night. She also had four blocks and a pair of aces. Ruth Ard added six kills and was equally efficient, with a .417 attack mark in 12 attempts, making three blocks, as well.
 
Freshman Sydnee Saunders chipped in five kills, as did Hannah Murray. Murray also had seven digs, while setters Keeley Johnston and Dingman had 14 and nine assists, respectively. Johnston had four assist blocks, sharing high match honors with Butler.
 
Defensively, sophomore Ashley Sanchez's 11 digs led the Aggies' side.
 
Panhandle State will open Sooner Athletic Conference play on Friday (Sept. 6/6 p.m.) at home versus University of Science and Arts-Oklahoma at the Anchor D Arena.