Drovers Defeat the Evangels for First Time in Program History

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Wednesday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (12-13, 8-8 SAC) earned a historic four-set victory against arch-rival Mid-America University (14-9, 10-6 SAC). The win was the first in program history against the Evangels. Prior to Wednesday night, USAO had lost each of their first 19 matchups against MACU since September of 2016. 

The Drovers have now won five of their last seven matches overall and sit in a tie for seventh place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings with six matches remaining in the regular season. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams in the conference will advance to the SAC Tournament. Furthermore, the Drovers are just two wins shy of tying the program record for most wins in a season (14 wins in 2021).

On Wednesday, the Drovers looked sharp from the start and claimed a hard fought 26-24 victory in the opening set. USAO would continue to thrive in the second set and edged MACU for a 25-22 win and a commanding two-set lead in the match. 

MACU kept the match going with a 25-18 win in the third set, but the Drovers bounced right back to claim a 25-23 triumph in the fourth set to wrap up the match. 

As a team, the Drover offense compiled a .160 attack percentage with 46 kills, while the Evangels recorded a .159 attack percentage and 59 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 41 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 81 digs and 11.0 total blocks. MACU produced 56 assists, 90 digs, and 6.0 total blocks. Additionally, USAO scored on nine service aces, while MACU tallied eight aces.  

Jaliyah Cox and Alacia Ledoux led the Drover offense with a pair of double-digit kill performances. Cox concluded with 13 kills, seven digs, and three block assists, while Ledoux added 11 kills and four digs. 

Laura Barrios Bardi was great on offense and defense as she contributed six kills, 12 digs, and four block assists. 

Morgan Kobe and Giselle Calderon were forces to be reconned with at the net. Kobe closed with six kills, three aces, five block assists, and one solo block, while Calderon contributed six kills, four block assists, and a solo block. 

Bailey Makahununiu was superb in the win, recording her fifth double-double of the season with a match-high of 35 assists, in addition to 14 digs. Makahununiu also recorded career highs in kills (4) and block assists (2).

Brynlee Birney was sensation on defense, recording a match-high of 30 digs, along with four assists, and two aces. Yaiza Larrauri added 10 digs and an ace. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

USAO will then host JBU on Friday (Oct. 25) at 7:00 PM CT, followed by College of the Ozarks on Saturday (Oct. 26) at 1:00 PM CT. 

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