Oklahoma City University Athletics

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City took a hard-fought, five-set win over Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Sooner Athletic Conference volleyball on Friday, 25-27, 25-19, 25-19, 13-25, 15-12.
 
After losing a first-set nail-biter, the Stars took the first four points of the second set and never trailed. OCU led by as many as six points and Kacie Townsend ended the set with a kill to tie things at 1-1.
 
OCU again rattled off the first four points in the third set and led by as many as seven before winning on another Townsend kill.
 
USAO was dominant in the fourth set, but that momentum didn't carry over into the fifth set. The Stars got out to a 4-1 lead and had a 12-4 advantage before the Drovers tried to work their way back into the match. USAO got within 14-12 before Erin Mack ended the match with a kill.
 
OCU had a balanced attack for the evening with Townsend leading with 15 kills, followed by Maddie Edwards with 13, Bailey Lowder with 12 and Erin Mack with 10. Rylie Steward had 45 assists. Townsend and Joeci Hunt each had two aces.
 
Hunt led the back row with 16 digs, followed by Steward with 15, Kate Cleofe with 13 and Townsend with 11. Townsend and Amber Jones were in on three blocks apiece.
 
Now 14-3 overall and 8-3 in the SAC, the Stars host Mid-America Christian at 1 p.m. on Saturday.