EDMOND, Okla. - After allowing Texas A&M-Kingsville to hit .228 in the first three sets, Oklahoma Christian held the Javelinas to a .000 attack percentage in the final two sets as OC fought back from being down in the match, 2-1, to win its second five-set conference match of the season.
The Eagles (12-7, 3-4 LSC) are 4-0 in five-set matches this season. Oklahoma Christian recorded four five-set victories all of last season.
Annie Davis delivered a season-high 17 kills, six of which came in the fourth set to keep OC alive and force a match-deciding fifth set, while hitting .367 to lead the hometown favorites on the night.
Chloe Jones posted another double-double with her 13-kill, 21-dig performance.
The Eagles opened the night scoring four of the first five points before that lead ballooned to 14-7. Kingsville was able to close the deficit to four, 17-13, before OC traded points the rest of the way for a 25-19 set-one victory.
Over the next two sets, TAMUK recorded 26 kills to just eight errors, including a 14-kill, three-error third set which had the Javelinas hitting .407, as it raced out to a 2-1 set lead. From there, the Eagles' defense and Davis' right arm took over with OC's back against the wall.
Kingsville held the early lead in the fourth frame, 8-6, before
Kathryn Christie and Davis hit back-to-back winners to fuel a 9-2 Eagle run to open a 15-10 advantage. With TAMUK closing the gap to two, 21-19, two of OC's final four points came via a Davis attack as Oklahoma Christian grabbed the momentum and forced a winner-take-all five set.
The momentum shift continued with Oklahoma Christian forcing the Javelinas into two straight attack errors to open the finale. The Eagles' early edge grew to 8-3 as the two teams switched sides of the court. The directional change played no effect as OC scored five of the next six points, thanks to a pair of blocks from
Lauren Cary.
Avery Cole recorded the final kill of the match as OC took the final set, 15-6. The Eagles will now return to Payne Athletic Center Saturday, Oct. 19 when they meet Texas A&M International for a 2 p.m. first serve.