ODESSA, Texas – Oklahoma Christian volleyball battled through five sets Saturday afternoon, earning a 3-2 road victory over UT Permian Basin at the Falcon Dome.

The Eagles dropped the opening set 25-21 before responding with a 25-23 victory in the second. UTPB edged OC 26-24 in a tightly contested third set, but Oklahoma Christian answered with a 25-21 win in the fourth before taking the deciding set 15-11. The victory moved the Eagles to 8-7 overall and 2-2 in Lone Star Conference play. 

UT Permian Basin took control late in the opening set after the two teams went back and forth early. Molly Brunell led the OC attack with six kills in the set, but the Falcons closed out the frame 25-21.

The Eagles responded in the second set after falling behind 5-1 early. OC worked its way back into the set and used a late push to take control. Alexis Moore provided three kills in the frame, while Leah Duncan added three of her own as Oklahoma Christian evened the match with a 25-23 victory. 

The third set featured 12 ties as neither side was able to create much separation. Oklahoma Christian held a 24-23 advantage late, but UTPB scored the final three points to escape with a 26-24 win and take a 2-1 lead in the match. 

With their backs against the wall, the Eagles responded. OC turned in one of its best offensive performances of the afternoon in the fourth set, recording 16 kills and hitting .286 to force a deciding fifth set. Oklahoma Christian carried that momentum into the final frame, hitting .292 with 11 kills on 24 attacks to close out the match with a 15-11 victory. 

Brunell led Oklahoma Christian with 15 kills, while Kenzy McArtor and Duncan each finished with 12 kills. Susanna Hodson added 10 kills, and Moore contributed six kills while playing a major role at the net. McArtor hit .235 for the match, while Hodson finished at .233. 

Summer Van Meerveld directed the offense with 31 assists, while Emma Eyster added 19 assists and four service aces. Defensively, Macey Nehring led the Eagles with 23 digs, with Sara Freeman adding 19 and Van Meerveld recording 18. Oklahoma Christian also finished with nine team blocks and 11 service aces.

The Eagles improved to 8-7 overall and 2-2 in Lone Star Conference play with the road victory.

The Eagles will be back in the Nest next Friday, October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd to face off first with Midwestern State, Friday at 6 p.m. and Lubbock Christian on Saturday at 2 p.m.