General | 10/19/2021 11:22:00 PM

Box Score GOODWELL, OKLAHOMA: Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) Volleyball team hosted conference rival Wayland Baptist University (WBU) tonight in the Anchor D. Arena in front of a packed Aggies crowd.
 
The Anchor D. was booming this evening as the Aggies took the court. Senior setter, Celenia Toribio set the tone with kill to begin the first set. The battle was on and the Aggies and Pioneers began to trade points. The Aggies remained focus and setting strategy opened the floor up for the Aggie hitters. The Aggies connected on 16 of 36 attacks to chalk up a hitting percentage of .306.
 
Set two looked familiar as the Aggies and Pioneers traded points throughout the set. The Aggies found themselves trailing WBU 15-18 and called a timeout. Coach Allen reset the tempo and sent the Aggies back to the court to finish what they had started. The Aggies tied up the match at 23, but the Pioneers were not finished. We would see three more set points for the Aggies before a service ace from sophomore libero Gracie Soza gave the Aggies set 27-25 and the lead 2-0.
 
The Pioneers stepped on the court in the third set with a vengeance. The Pioneers came out swinging and took the early lead. The Aggies struggled to find a solution to the Pioneers' hitters and dropped the match 16-25. This match was heading to a fourth set!
 
The fourth set would be a nail biter as the Aggies and Pioneers took the court set on either forcing a fifth set or walking away with a victory. The Aggies trailed early in the set and the Pioneers began to pull away. The Aggies called their final timeout as they trailed the Pioneers 21-22. Coach Allen took the entire 90 seconds to discuss strategy and refocus the team. The Aggies stepped back on the court and went on a run. The Aggies took the fourth set 25-23 and the match 3-1 to send the Pioneers home with the L.
 
Guest Assistant Coach / Head Football Coach Bob Majeski stated "I want to thank Coach Allen and the ladies of the Aggie volleyball program for letting me be part of the match tonight. Coach Allen had a great game plan and the Lady Aggies executed to perfection."
 
Overall, the Aggies were impressive with 57 kills on the evening, 25 blocks, 87 digs, and 55 assists. Junior Essence West had a double-double tonight, leading the team with a season high 27 kills and contributing 15 digs on the night. Junior Zoe Fry contributed 15 kills of her own. Senior setter Celenia Toribio led the team with 30 assists, 1 solo block, and 3 block assists on the evening. Libero Soza led the team on defense with 19 digs and an ace, followed by Ashley Sanchez and Lesly Galarza with 14 digs and Mckenna Coppock with 11 digs.
 
Head Coach Julie Allen shared "I am proud of the Aggie Volleyball team, Aggie Community and support from our Aggie Athletic teams. I am proud of the team for staying focused, confident in each other and, enjoying the moment. Overall, it was just an amazing environment for our team to play in. We have one of the toughest arenas to play in. Our crowd goes all out to support us. If you're coming to the Anchor D. Arena, prepare to play us AND our fans."

Next up for the Aggies is to host John Brown University on Friday, October 22nd, at 6 pm in Anchor D. Arena.