GOODWELL, Okla. — Elena Kagiali set career highs with 28 kills and 29 digs Saturday afternoon against University of Science & Arts Oklahoma (12-8, 6-5 SAC), but it was not enough for Panhandle State (8-10, 6-5) in a marathon five-set loss, 24-26, 24-26, 25-18, 25-22, 10-15.
 
Very little separated the two sides in Anchor D Arena on Saturday, as the Aggies looked to sweep their weekend matches and the Drovers hoped to rebound from their loss Friday night.
 
OPSU got out to a 3-0 lead in the first set, and Kagiali notched the team's first five kills as the hosts soon had USAO on the ropes, 24-23. A 3-0 burst from the Drovers saw the visitors take control, however, ahead 1-0 in the match.
 
Another tight set played out in the second frame, with the Aggies clawing their way back from an early deficit to again get it to set point ahead, 24-23. Unfortunately, in a case of déjà vu, the Drovers again stole the set to take a 2-0 match lead.
 
OPSU would not go down without a fight, though, as it cruised to a 7-1 start in the third set and easily put away the Drovers to extend the match.
 
The road to continue playing was not as easy in the fourth set, but the Aggies fought through a couple early runs from USAO to get the score knotted at 22-22. From there, Kagiali recorded two kills and Ava Newby had the set-clinching kill to force a fifth frame.
 
Panhandle State's momentum ran out in do-or-die set, however, as its efforts to secure a reverse sweep fell short.
 
Kagiali's sensational performance – with her kills and digs leading all players in the match – was buoyed by a remarkable .328 kill percentage. The Greece native also had two aces, helping account for 30.0 points credited to her name.
 
Newby notched 11 kills, and the offense was set up by Mia Sanchez, who had 47 assists.
 
Defensively, Taylor Silva, Winiffer Rodriguez and Sanchez joined Kagiali with at least 15 digs.
 
USAO's defense at the net was the difference in the match, as the Drovers totaled 14 blocks compared to the Aggies' six.
 
What's up next: OPSU stays at home next week beginning Tuesday with a 6 p.m. match versus Wayland Baptist (8-7, 7-4 SAC).