Drovers Split Home Opener Against Evangel and Paul Quinn

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (3-1, 0-0 SAC) split a pair of matches in their home-opener against Evangel University (Mo.) and Paul Quinn College (Texas). The Drovers were dealt a 3-1 loss against Evangel, prior to a 3-0 sweep against PQC.

vs EVANGEL UNIVERSITY (2-0, 0-0 KCAC)

The morning matchup was far more thrilling than the 3-1 loss may indicate. Aside from the fourth set, the opening three sets were each decided by four points or less. Additionally, the Drovers held a lead in three of the four sets.

USAO got off to a hot start in the first set, but Evangel stormed back to claim a 25-21 victory. The Drovers once again got off to a good start and held an early lead, but much like the first set, the Valor retaliated with several scoring runs to propel their way to a 25-22 win, and a commanding 2-0 lead in the set. 

Down but not out, USAO battled their way to a 25-21 victory in the third set. However, Evangel was in full control of the fourth set and concluded the match with a 25-15 triumph.

As a team, the Drover offense compiled a .122 attack percentage with 45 kills, while the Valor recorded a .224 attack percentage and 58 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 44 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 71 digs and two total blocks. 

The USAO offense was led by a 10-kill performance from Samantha Perez, and an efficient seven-kill showing from Tara Utornik. Utornik led all players with a .545 attack percentage. 

Jaliayh Cox concluded with nine kills, followed by Laura Barrios Bardi with seven kills and five digs. Giselle Calderon added five kills and a pair of digs.

Bailey Makahununiu produced a double-double as she dished out a match-high of 26 assists, in addition to 11 digs on defense. Mallory Miller contributed 14 assists and six digs. 

Brynlee Birney anchored the Drover defense with 19 digs, closely followed by Yaiza Larrauri with 16 digs. 

vs PAUL QUINN COLLEGE (1-3, 0-0 RRAC)

The Drovers commanded the final match of the day from start to finish in the three-set sweep. USAO won in convincing fashion in the first set with a 25-14 win. After jumping out to an early lead in the second set, the Drovers had to cling to victory and stave off a Tiger comeback, resulting in a 25-21 triumph. USAO sharpened up in the third set and cruised to a 25-14 victory to cap the weekend. 

As a team, the Drover offense produced 40 kills on a .240 attack percentage, along with 10 service aces. Defensively, USAO held PQC to a dismal 0.58 attack percentage, in addition to recording 42 digs and three total blocks.

The Drover offense was led by a pair of double-digit kill performances from Tara Utornik and Morgan Kobe. The duo was incredibly efficient on offense as well, with Utornik recording a .438 attack percentage and a .471 clip for Kobe. 

Giselle Calderon finished with five kills, a solo block, and a pair of block assists. Samantha Perez and Jaliayh Cox each closed with four kills, followed by Laura Barrios Bardi with three. 

Bailey Makahununiu once again registered a double-double as she led all players with 21 assists, along with 10 digs. Josie Joyce dished out 11 assists in the win. 

A pair of "defensive specialists" helped generate an offensive spark for the Drovers in the finale. Yaiza Larrauri led all players with 11 digs on defense, in addition to a match-high of eight service aces. Brynlee Birney contributed 10 digs and distributed seven assists. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action on Friday, August 23 as they host a double-header against Evangel University and Paul Quinn College. USAO will face EU at 10:00 AM CT, followed by PQC at 3:00 PM CT inside Drover Fieldhouse.

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