WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Oklahoma Christian rallied out of a 2-0 hole, but came up just short against Midwestern State inside D.L. Ligon Coliseum Friday night, 15-13 in the final stanza.
The maroon-and-gray slightly outhit the Mustangs on the evening, .196 to .192, as both teams administered 66 assists, 118-116 digs in favor of MSU, and an extra kill for the home team in the evenly-matched contest. Midwestern did see a 9-2 advantage in service aces.
The Eagles had three players post at least 20 digs in
Macey Nehring (29),
Chloe Jones (25) and
Sophie Mae Smith (20). Jones, who became the first player in program history to register 500 career kills and digs, and Smith both delivered second straight double-doubles as 16 kills and 30 assists accompanied the defensive prowess, respectively.
Midwestern scored eight of the first nine points to claim the quick opening frame, 25-14. Oklahoma Christian's efforts came up short in the second set, albeit closer, 25-22, before breaking through in the third.
With MSU holding the slight 19-18 edge and standing six points shy of a sweep, back-to-back kills from Jones and
Payton Cash put OC ahead for good as the Eagles claimed their first frame of the evening, 25-23.
Another back-and-forth set followed as the squads were tied, 24-24, before a Mustang attack error and one of
Lauren Cary's 11 kills sent play to a winner-take-all fifth set. With OC holding the momentum in the building off the comeback, McGough recorded a kill and two blocks to get things going to aid the 4-0 early lead in the final stanza.
Oklahoma Christian held that lead until 11-8 when MSU mounted three straight points with back-to-back kills and a service ace. After briefly retaking the lead, another three-run burst immediately altered the atmosphere in the building as Midwestern held on for the 15-13 win and the match victory.
The Eagles (10-5, 2-3 LSC) will head to Lubbock, Texas, tonight before taking on Lubbock Christian Saturday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. in what will be the teams' second meeting this season.
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