OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University kept its win streak alive, making it five victories in a row with a 25-19, 27-25, 25-20 defeat of Southern Nazarene on Monday at Abe Lemons Arena.
The Stars moved to 11-14, 5-2 in Sooner Athletic Conference volleyball, while Southern Nazarene fell to 17-8, 4-3. OCU found itself alone in second place in the conference with the result.
OCU has followed up a six-match losing streak with its current surge.
“Our passing is much better, and we're terminating the ball better,” OCU coach Jen Gomez said. “We're playing more consistently from point one.
“It always feels good to win a conference match at home and to beat SNU. We had to play some good volleyball to do it. It's good momentum heading into the Lindenwood Classic this weekend.”
Xiaoting Ma, a junior from Dalian, China, spearheaded the Stars with 13 kills and 11 digs, while Samantha Ball, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., picked up 27 assists and nine digs.
Shelbey Veselka, a junior from Boerne, Texas, scooped up 11 digs, and Victoria Cross added nine digs. OCU had eight blocks to Southern Nazarene's three as Alex Benbrook had six kills and six blocks, while Adrienne Tillery chipped in seven kills and two solo blocks.
Lindsay Hansen sparked the Stars in the first set. Hansen, a senior from Moore, Okla., pounded down a kill to begin a four-point run that clinched the set for OCU.
In the third set, Taryn Steele's kill got Southern Nazarene to set point at 24-22. Benbrook answered by nailing down a kill, then OCU tied it off Ball's serve. Angela Evans gave Southern Nazarene set point with another kill.
Ma responded with a kill, then Southern Nazarene had an attack error to give OCU set point. Benbrook and Jeannee Campbell gave the Stars the set by teaming on a block.
OCU iced the win with six points in a row to finish the third set. Ma notched a kill, while Benbrook had a kill and a solo block during the run to lead OCU. Lucy Knight finished the victory with an ace.
The Stars face Culver-Stockton (Mo.) at 1 p.m., then Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) at 7 p.m. Friday in the Lindenwood Classic at St. Charles, Mo. OCU then takes on fourth-ranked Columbia (Mo.) at 11:30 a.m., then No. 21 Lindenwood at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
OCU-SNU Stats
