USAO Clinches Postseason Berth with Win Over Southwestern Christian

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (13-16, 9-11 SAC) celebrated their senior class in style, with a four-set victory against Southwestern Christian University (5-20, 3-17 SAC). Furthermore, the Drovers clinched their fourth consecutive appearance in the Sooner Athletic Tournament. USAO improves to 7-9 against the SCU all-time, dating back to October 2016, and the Drovers have won each of the last seven meetings against the Eagles since 2021.

The Drovers currently sit in eighth place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings with two 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 one win shy of tying the program record for most wins in a season (14 wins in 2021).

On Friday, the Drovers overcame a bit of a slow start in the first set, prior to claiming a 25-18 win. USAO took a commanding 2-0 lead in the match with a dominant 25-13 victory in the second set. 

Down but not out, the Eagles rallied for a 25-21 win in the third set, but the Drovers responded with a 25-21 win of their own in the fourth set, wrapping up the match. 

As a team, the Drover offense compiled a .148 attack percentage with 53 kills, while the Eagles recorded a .043 attack percentage and 34 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 53 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 74 digs and 8.0 total blocks. Southwestern Christian produced 34 assists, 67 digs, and 8.0 total blocks. Additionally, USAO scored on 10 service aces, while SCU tallied only four aces.  

Jaliyah Cox led the way for the USAO offense, recording her second double-double of the season with 16 kills and 12 digs. 

Alacia Ledoux and Morgan Kobe each added nine kills in the win. Ledoux tallied nine digs on defense, while Kobe added 4.0 total blocks

Victoria Southerland was two kills shy of a double-double, concluding with eight kills, 11 digs, and a pair of aces. 

Giselle Calderon contributed five kills, followed by Jordan Simmons with three terminations. 

Bailey Makahununiu was sensational, dishing out 47 assists, which is just two shy of the program record, held by Madison Garcia, who dished out 49 assists in a win against SCU in 2021. Makahununiu also provided seven digs, two kills, and an ace.

Brynlee Birney led all players with 21 digs, in addition to five assists and three aces.

Yaiza Larrauri concluded with eight digs and an ace. 

USAO VOLLEYBALL SENIORS

#2 - Yaiza Larrauri - In her career, she has appeared in 107 matches and has recorded 889 digs, 85 assists, and 76 aces. She has also earned a SAC Defensive Player of the Week award and was an all-conference selection in 2023.

#8 - Jordan Simmons – She had been a Drover since the fall of 2023, helping the team win 23 matches in that span. 

#10 - Bruna Duarte - In her career, Bruna has appeared in 37 matches, tallying 203 kills, 86 digs, and 23 total blocks. She is responsible for 227 points since the start of 2023.

#11 - Victoria Southerland - Southerland has appeared in 50 matches over the last two seasons, recording 349 kills, 304 digs, 46 aces, and 24.0 total blocks. She has produced 419.5 points since the start of 2023. She was an all-conference selection in 2023.

WHAT'S NEXT?

USAO will return to action on Friday, November 8 as they travel to Wayland Baptist University. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 PM CT in Plainview, Texas. 

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