LUBBOCK, Texas – Oklahoma Baptist ousted Oklahoma City University from the Sooner Athletic Conference volleyball tournament by a 25-21, 25-17, 25-15 count Friday at the Rip Griffin Center.

The Stars went to 18-20, effectively ending their season. OCU likely would have needed to win the SAC Tournament to advance. NAIA Championships Opening Round pairings will be announced Sunday.

Alex Benbrook, a sophomore from Enid, Okla., totaled 14 kills to lead the Stars. Xiaoting Ma, a junior from Dalian, China, added 10 kills and a team-high 14 digs.

Samantha Ball handed out 28 assists to go with six digs, and Shelbey Veselka picked up 13 digs. Victoria Cross chipped in nine digs.

OCU swept two regular-season matches from Oklahoma Baptist. Oklahoma Baptist advanced to the SAC Tournament championship match at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Tied at 15-15 in the first set, Oklahoma Baptist outscored OCU 6-1 to take the lead. Tami Leipelt had two kills during that span.

In the second set, Benbrook had a kill to put OCU ahead 7-5. Oklahoma Baptist answered with the next six points.

OCU's Lindsay Hansen, Lucy Knight and Brittany Segars were the first group of seniors to spend four years with the volleyball program since it restarted in 2006.

Hansen, from Moore, Okla., was the first in-state recruit Gomez signed with OCU. She played the most matches of any Star since the program was re-introduced. She will finish ranking fourth in kills and points and second in attacks as a three-year starter at OCU.  She was named honorable-mention all-SAC her freshman year and an NAIA scholar-athlete award winner as a junior. Hansen compiled 873 kills, 528 digs, 105 blocks, 51 assists and 19 aces for OCU. 

Knight, from Norman, Okla., built a reputation as a player who hustles and gives all-out effort whether in practice or in competition. She used her serve to contribute to the Stars, posting 167 digs, 12 assists and 14 aces.