WICHITA FALLS, Texas (Nov. 5, 2021) – When Oklahoma Christian had to win points on Friday night at Midwestern State (Texas), the Eagles did, and as a result, OC remains alive in the race for a spot in the Lone Star Conference tournament.

OC recorded its first road sweep of the volleyball season – and only its third overall – in downing the Mustangs 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-23) at D.L. Ligon Coliuseum. It was the second straight season in which OC won a match at Midwestern State.

With three matches remaining in the regular season, OC (8-17, 4-10 LSC) is tied for 13th place with Texas A&M International in the LSC standings, two games behind Eastern New Mexico and Texas A&M-Kingsville, who are tied for 11th. The top 12 teams will make the field for the LSC tournament.

OC will visit last-place Cameron (2-25, 1-14) on Saturday at 2 p.m. before hosting TAMUK (12-8, 6-8) and TAMIU (4-17, 4-10) next week to close the regular season. The Eagles must win at least two of their remaining three matches to have a chance at moving up in the standings and winning all three would be their best hope at making the LSC tournament for a second straight season.

The Eagles hit a healthy .178 against Midwestern State (3-20, 1-14). OC committed only 15 attack errors compared to 25 for the Mustangs and had 10 blocks, compared to three for Midwestern State.

Hannah Rouse had nine kills, seven digs and four block assists for OC. Talby Duerksen hit .412 for the match with eight kills, Morgan Demuth hit .500 with seven kills and five block assists and Yolaine Lopez added six kills. Spencer Plato contributed 31 assists while Brylie Berryman led the Eagles' defense with 13 digs.

A 7-2 run early in the first set gave the Eagles a 12-7 lead and the Mustangs came no closer than four points the rest of the set.

OC had an 8-2 run early in the second set to go up 11-7. Midwestern State eventually pulled even at 19-19, but Duerksen had two kills and Plato added an ace in a 4-0 spurt by the Eagles and Rouse ended the set with another ace.

Midwestern State led 16-11 in the third set before OC evened the set with a 7-2 run. The Mustangs went back ahead at 23-19 and appeared to have the set in hand, but the Eagles closed the match with a 6-0 run, taking advantage of three attack errors by Midwestern State and two kills by Lopez.

Midwestern State hit just .096 for the match. Lauryn Bourne led the Mustangs with seven kills and 16 digs.