OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 9, 2021) – Oklahoma Christian fended off a spirited rally by Western New Mexico, rebounding to hold off the Mustangs and win 3-2 (25-13, 25-14, 22-25, 21-25, 15-9) on Saturday afternoon in the Eagles' Nest.

Four players – Hannah Rouse, Caitlynne Hudgens, Talby Duerksen and Kelsie Schiefelbein – recorded double-digit kills for OC (6-11, 2-6 Lone Star Conference). The Eagles hit a healthy .305 for the volleyball match and snapped a five-game losing streak while dealing Western New Mexico (2-14, 1-6) its sixth straight loss.

Statistical stars abounded for the Eagles. Rouse had a career-high 18 kills, three coming in the decisive fifth set, as OC staved off the Mustangs, who had come back from down two sets to tie the match. Hudgens had 14 kills and eight digs, Duerksen had 11 kills and Schiefelbein added 10 kills and four block assists.

A pair of defensive specialists, Kyla Chavez and Jovana Cernjanski, split time handling setting duties for OC, with Cernjanksi recording 21 assists and 14 digs and Chavez finishing with 32 assists and 10 digs. Brylie Berryman led the Eagles with 20 digs to go with five assists.

OC cruised through the first two sets, winning by double digits, and the Eagles led the third set 19-15 before Western New Mexico took control with a 6-1 run. An ace by Hailey Hertzog gave the Mustangs the set and the match was on.

With the fourth set tied 16-16, the Mustangs reeled off four straight points, two on kills by Marlaynah McDonald, to take the lead and soon enough won the set to tie the match.

But OC answered with a strong start to the decisive fifth set. A kill by Hudgens and an ace by Berryman helped stake the Eagles to a 4-0 lead, and soon enough OC led 6-1. Western New Mexico pulled within 9-7, but consecutive kills by Schiefelbein, Rouse and Rouse again gave OC some breathing room at 12-7.

The Mustangs closed within 12-9, but Rouse stepped up with another kill and Hudgens finished off the match for OC with two more kills.

Bria Augustine led the Mustangs, who hit .115 for the match, with 12 kills and 11 digs.

OC will return to the LSC road next week, for matches at West Texas A&M and Eastern New Mexico. OC coach Jason Skoch coached for 10 seasons at West Texas A&M, taking the Buffaloes to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight three times.