LANGSTON, Okla. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State volleyball team (6-7, 4-2 SAC) roared out to a 2-0 lead and hung on to win in the fifth set at Langston (7-8, 3-3) Friday evening, 25-21, 25-14, 19-25, 15-25, 15-10 for its fourth straight victory.
 
Elena Kagiali led a strong attack for OPSU, boasting a career-high-tying 23 kills for the second consecutive outing. As a team, the Aggies notched 62 kills, their second highest output of the season.
 
Ava Newby and Skyla Stark recorded 14 and 13 kills, respectively, with both players committing just three errors for hitting percentages north of .350 apiece.
 
Winiffer Rodriguez led all players in the match with 20 digs, while Taylor Silva added 12 digs and two service aces from the back row.
 
Mia Sanchez recorded 49 assists and was strong at the net with four block assists as she helped Stark (four total blocks) and Emma Coburn (two block assists) defend up front.
 
The Aggies were in control early with a dominant attack that featured 17 kills in the opening set. They held off a late run from the hosts to go ahead in the match, 1-0.
 
OPSU continued to cruise through the second set and it held a 4-0 advantage in the third frame, eyeing a sweep. Separate 8-0 and 5-0 runs from the Lions killed momentum and swung it towards Langston, though, as suddenly a fifth set loomed.
 
With both teams fighting to keep their respective winning streaks alive, it was the Aggies – led by Stark, Newby and Kagiali – who seized control for a gritty road victory.
 
What's up next: Panhandle State has a chance to tie its longest win streak over the past four seasons when it plays at Central Christian College (2-9, 0-6) Saturday at 1 p.m.