GOODWELL, Okla. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State volleyball team (11-10, 9-5 SAC) wrapped up a perfect three-win week at home on Saturday with a 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-12) victory over College of the Ozarks.
 
Junior outside hitter Taylore Alsaid surpassed a milestone in the third set of the match just as the Aggies were finding their stride, connecting on her 500th career kill.
 
OPSU, which had been swept by the Bobcats early into the conference schedule, opened play slowly with the noon start time, dropping the first set as CofO's attack went to work.
 
The Aggie defense stepped up throughout the remainder of the match, however, finishing with 83 digs compared to the Bobcats' 73 as CofO's hitting percentage plummeted to .113 by the match's end.
 
Panhandle State's attack was well-rounded, highlighted by a fourth set that featured 16 kills and just five errors as the hosts closed their seven-match homestand in style.
 
Elena Kagiali recorded a match-high 14 kills, though Ava Newby was also exceptional with 13 kills and a .414 hitting percentage. Skyla Stark also reached double figures with 10 kills.
 
Mia Sanchez provided 41 assists and 14 digs on the day. She was joined in the double-digit digs column by Winiffer Rodriguez (21 digs), Nyah Ulmer (17) and Taylor Silva (11).
 
Coach Ilani Dalton's Thoughts: "Our defense was relentless today, I think that really helped us transition a few more balls and score a few more points."
 
The relentless defense has helped move the Aggies up to third in the SAC standings, much higher than preseason projections.
 
"Our goal is to finish (the conference schedule) a little bit stronger. I think we've done a really good job at competing. I mean, the conference is very competitive this year, and we're just looking to hang out where we're at – we like this (third-place) spot."
 
What's up next: Panhandle State takes to the road on Friday with a 6 p.m. match at Southwestern Christian (1-16, 1-13 SAC).