OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University prevailed over Wayland Baptist (Texas) 25-23, 25-19, 25-23 on Friday night at Abe Lemons Arena.
The Stars took Wayland Baptist out of the top spot in the Sooner Athletic Conference volleyball standings. Oklahoma City improved to 8-5, 7-2 in the SAC, while Wayland Baptist fell to 14-5, 7-2 in league play.
OCU stands in a three-way tie for second place in the conference along with Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) (13-5, 7-2 SAC) and Wayland Baptist. Texas Wesleyan (11-5, 8-2 SAC) stood in first place after Friday's action, but will be idle until Oct. 8. Oklahoma City, Southwestern Assemblies of God and Wayland Baptist each have contests Saturday.
"That was a big win for us," Oklahoma City coach Kristen Coventon said. "The girls put in a lot of effort in practice this week. That win is a testament to how hard they worked in practice these past four days."
The Stars compiled a season-best 11.0 team blocks. Oklahoma City overcame a 21-18 deficit in the third set to wrap up the victory.
"Our block was phenomenal," Conventon said. "I'm not sure I've seen us block that well. I'm extremely proud of the grit they showed at the end of the third. We were down a couple points and made a really big push.
"I also have to thank the large group of fans we had at tonight's match. They played a big role, and they helped drive us to finish. We are so thankful for their support."
In the third set, Wayland Baptist went up 20-17 after putting together a 5-0 run. The Stars erased Wayland Baptist's 21-18 advantage with five points in a row. Ella Lofton smacked a kill and teamed with Kenady Bertling on a block with Josie Thomas' ace coming between. Sophia Salak put OCU in front 23-21 with a tip for a kill.
In the first, Lofton pounded a kill to provide the Stars set point at 24-19. Wayland Baptist with the next four points with Tatijana Markic notching a pair of kills. OCU took the set after Markic committed an attack error.
The Stars built an early 10-5 lead with a 6-0 surge. Catelyn Vargas served up three aces and hammered a kill to fuel OCU.
Lofton, a senior from Cedar Park, Texas, powered OCU with 13 kills, 15 digs and three blocks for her fifth double-double this year. Olivia Nutter, a senior from Plano, Texas, turned in seven kills with a team-high six blocks.
Salak, a senior from McKinney, Texas, posted 31 assists, five digs and three blocks, while Josie Thomas, a freshman from Choctaw, Okla., scooped up 23 digs for her fifth 20-dig outing of the season for OCU.
Ruby Kelley, a freshman from Mustang, Okla., collected seven kills and three blocks, and Vargas, a junior from Lubbock, Texas, compiled five kills, five digs, four aces and two blocks for the Stars. Bertling, a senior from Baytown, Texas, supplied OCU with five blocks.
The Stars meet Panhandle State at 1 p.m. Saturday at Abe Lemons Arena.
