Kagiali, Aggies Extend Winning Streak in Impressive Fashion
September 16, 2025
*Note: Statistics are in the process of being updated by Wayland Baptist. Statistics listed in the story should not be considered official*
PLAINVIEW, Texas The Oklahoma Panhandle State volleyball team (5-7, 3-2 SAC) came back from a 1-0 deficit on the road Tuesday night to knock off Wayland Baptist (4-5, 2-3) in impressive fashion, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-15.
The conference foes both entered the match on two-game winning streaks, yet it was the Aggies who conquered the Pioneers behind a fierce attack of 57 kills and historically good defense with 102 digs. The latter figure tied OPSU's second best digs total in a match over the past three seasons.
Elena Kagiali served as the driving force behind a surging Aggies squad, tallying double career highs with 23 kills and 22 digs. The redshirt junior's performance helped lead Panhandle State to its first three-match win streak since 2023.
The action got underway in Plainview, Texas, with both teams going punch-for-punch as OPSU held a slight 18-16 lead in set number one. A 6-0 run from the hosts carried Wayland to the finish line of the opening frame, however, putting the visitors in an early hole.
A strong start to the second set for the Aggies faded slightly as the score was tied 21-21 late. A pair of Pioneer attack errors and a kill apiece by Skyla Stark and Taylor Silva helped lift OPSU over the top in the frame to tie the match.
The third set saw Wayland take a commanding 8-3 edge that forced head coach Ilani Dalton to use an early timeout. That timeout changed the tides for OPSU, as Kagiali went on a heater with eight kills to lead the Aggies on a resilient comeback.
The momentum continued all the way through the fourth set as Panhandle State moved past the .500 mark in conference play.
Stark continued her dominance at the net with 10 kills on the night. Silva added a season-high eight kills, a number also achieved by Ava Newby.
Winiffer Rodriguez returned to the lineup with a career-high 26 digs. Silva and Mia Sanchez contributed 19 digs apiece, a figure that marked Sanchez' career best.
Sanchez set up OPSU's attack with 44 assists, and Nyah Ulmer had a team-high two aces.
What's up next: Panhandle State looks to make it four in a row when it takes on Langston (7-7, 3-2) on Friday at 6 p.m. in Langston, Oklahoma.
PLAINVIEW, Texas The Oklahoma Panhandle State volleyball team (5-7, 3-2 SAC) came back from a 1-0 deficit on the road Tuesday night to knock off Wayland Baptist (4-5, 2-3) in impressive fashion, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-15.
The conference foes both entered the match on two-game winning streaks, yet it was the Aggies who conquered the Pioneers behind a fierce attack of 57 kills and historically good defense with 102 digs. The latter figure tied OPSU's second best digs total in a match over the past three seasons.
Elena Kagiali served as the driving force behind a surging Aggies squad, tallying double career highs with 23 kills and 22 digs. The redshirt junior's performance helped lead Panhandle State to its first three-match win streak since 2023.
The action got underway in Plainview, Texas, with both teams going punch-for-punch as OPSU held a slight 18-16 lead in set number one. A 6-0 run from the hosts carried Wayland to the finish line of the opening frame, however, putting the visitors in an early hole.
A strong start to the second set for the Aggies faded slightly as the score was tied 21-21 late. A pair of Pioneer attack errors and a kill apiece by Skyla Stark and Taylor Silva helped lift OPSU over the top in the frame to tie the match.
The third set saw Wayland take a commanding 8-3 edge that forced head coach Ilani Dalton to use an early timeout. That timeout changed the tides for OPSU, as Kagiali went on a heater with eight kills to lead the Aggies on a resilient comeback.
The momentum continued all the way through the fourth set as Panhandle State moved past the .500 mark in conference play.
Stark continued her dominance at the net with 10 kills on the night. Silva added a season-high eight kills, a number also achieved by Ava Newby.
Winiffer Rodriguez returned to the lineup with a career-high 26 digs. Silva and Mia Sanchez contributed 19 digs apiece, a figure that marked Sanchez' career best.
Sanchez set up OPSU's attack with 44 assists, and Nyah Ulmer had a team-high two aces.
What's up next: Panhandle State looks to make it four in a row when it takes on Langston (7-7, 3-2) on Friday at 6 p.m. in Langston, Oklahoma.
