SEWARD, Neb. – The Oklahoma City volleyball team suffered a sweep to Hastings College in the 2024 season opener in the Bulldog Bash.
STAT OF THE GAME: Natalie Adams came away with double-digit assists for the 28
th time in her career over a total of 28 games played. Adams tacked on seven digs and two kills on a .500 hitting percentage.
THE RUNDOWN – The Broncos jumped out to a quick 10-3 lead before going on two separate 6-1 runs to close out the first set 25-11.
Oklahoma City took its first lead of the match in the second set while taking its largest lead of the match of three points after rattling off an 8-1 run on two aces by freshman
Grace Smallwood and a kill by all-American senior
Rylee Steward. Hastings made its way back to overcome a 23-20 deficit by scoring four straight points to retake the lead. The control of the scoreboard fell back into the hands of the Stars coming one point away from set victory however the Broncos battled back once again with three consecutive kills to take the second set 27-25.
In the third set it was Steward who got off to a hot start with three kills right out of the gate. A pair of freshman
Erin Mack and
Maddie Edwards collected a kill each to keep OCU in the lead for one last time as the momentum fell back into the hooves of the Broncos leading to an 11-1 run to go up 17-8. Despite a large run, Oklahoma City battled back with six straight points on the hot hand of
Natalie Adams who delivered a pair of aces and a kill. Back down by five the Stars youth helped bring them back once again on two more kills by Smallwood an another by redshirt freshman
Maddie Edwards to cut the deficit to just one. Hastings finished things off with a pair of kills to earn the sweep over OCU as the Stars fall in the season opener.
NOTES
- Rylee Steward led the Stars with eight kills and two blocks.
- Oklahoma City had two individuals with double-digit digs as Joeci Hunt led the way with 14 followed by freshman Grace Smallwood who tallied 10.
- OCU tallied a game-high five aces with Adams and Smallwood notching two apiece.
NEXT TIME OUT: Oklahoma City will have a quick turnaround with a 10 a.m. start on Saturday against #17 College of Saint Mary before its second match of the day starting at 3 p.m. against #4 Concordia University.
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