Goodwell, Okla. – The Oklahoma Panhandle State University volleyball team fought vigorously but fell to Nelson University in four intense sets (24-26, 14-25, 25-18, 19-25). Despite the loss, the Aggies demonstrated resilience and flashes of brilliance throughout the match.

The Aggies pushed Nelson to the limit in the opening set, narrowly losing 24-26. Senior outside hitter Taylore Alsaid led the charge with an impressive 16 kills and five aces, keeping the Aggies in contention early on. However, Nelson regrouped in the second set, capitalizing on their momentum to claim a 25-14 win.

Refusing to back down, OPSU rallied in the third set, taking control with a 25-18 victory, fueled by the combined efforts of Alsaid and Taylor Silva, who added ten kills. The Aggies' defense, led by Teagan Mendoza-Werner's ten digs and strong blocking from Emma Coburn and Ava Newby, held firm against Nelson's attack. Other top performers for the Aggies included Nyah Ulmer, who dished out 28 assists, and Emma Coburn, who added two blocks and an ace.

In the final set, Nelson pulled away with a 25-19 win to close the match, but OPSU made them earn every point. Head Coach Myers praised her team's effort and potential. "Nelson is a great team, and they brought their A-game against us," Myers said. "But the awesome thing is that we played with them. We had the opportunity to take that first set right off the bat, and then we struggled to find that rhythm again. As a team, we are beginning to realize that we are good and can play and win against tougher teams. This is exciting going forward."

With this result, the Aggies will look to regroup and build on their performance as they continue their season with a determination to compete against intense competition.

Upcoming
The Aggies will host College of the Ozarks at home on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.