Drovers Split Double-Header at Day One of the College of the Ozarks Labor Day Tournament

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (4-3, 0-0 SAC) split a pair of matches at day one of the College of the Ozarks Labor Day Tournament against Mission University (Mo.) and Avila University (Mo.). The Drovers began the day with a 3-0 win against Mission, prior to a 3-1 loss against Avila.

vs MISSION UNIVERSITY (0-6, 0-0 AMC)

The Drovers battled their way to a 3-0 sweep to open the weekend at the College of the Ozarks Labor Day Tournament.

The Drovers got off to a good start to open the match and held an early 8-4 advantage. USAO closed the set strong and earned a 25-20 win in the first. In the second set, the Drovers jumped out to an 11-4 lead, prior to cruising to a 25-18 triumph. After trailing early in the third set, USAO managed to even the score at 12-12, prior to edging Mission in the end, 25-23.

As a team, the Drover offense compiled a .158 attack percentage with 37 kills, while the Patriots recorded a .102 attack percentage and 35 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 33 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 44 digs and four total blocks. 

 Bruna Duarte led the USAO offense with nine kills, along with five digs. Laura Barrios Bardi and Jaliyah Cox each concluded the win with seven kills. Morgan Kobe added six kills, followed by Giselle Calderon with five. 

Bailey Makahununiu dished out a team-high of 14 assists, along with seven digs on defense. Josie Joyce contributed 13 assists and three aces. 

Brynlee Birney anchored the defense with 19 digs, three assists, and an ace. 

vs AVILA UNIVERSITY (2-5, 0-0 KCAC)

USAO was unable to overcome a slow start and suffered a 3-1 loss against Avila University. 

The Drovers struggled early in the first set and trailed 10-3, prior to dropping the set 25-18. USAO's struggles continued in the second set as they fell 25-12. 

The teams traded points early in the third set, with Avila holding a slip 9-8 lead. The Drovers maintained their momentum and held an 18-12 lead midway through the set, prior to keeping the match alive with a 25-20 win.

The Drovers jumped out to an early 6-4 advantage in the fourth set, but the Eagles would catch fire and close out the match with a 25-17 win.

As a team, the Drover offense produced 39 kills on a .051 attack percentage, while the Eagles put away 40 kills on a .109 attack percentage. Defensively, USAO recorded 77 digs and 6.0 total blocks, meanwhile Avila produced 80 digs and 2.0 blocks. 

 Bruna Duarte and Morgan Kobe each tallied nine kills to lead to USAO offense. Duarte also recorded nine digs on defense. Laura Barrios Bardi and Jaliyah Cox each contributed six kills, followed by Tara Utornik with five. 

Josie Joyce recorded a double-double as she dished out 15 assists, in addition to 11 digs. Bailey Makahununiu distributed 14 assists, along with nine digs. 

Brynlee Birney tallied a team high of 27 digs, as well as five assists. Yaiza Larrauri recorded 12 digs. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action on Saturday, August 31 as they play another double-header against Evangel University and Sterling College. USAO will face EU at 10:00 AM CT, followed by SC at 12:00 PM CT in Point Lookout, Mo.

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