Women's Volleyball September 04, 2015

Rangers Split Day One of OPSU Aggies Challenge

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The Basics - Game One
Score: Northwestern 0 – Sterling College 3
Records: Northwestern (0-1, 0-0 GAC) – Sterling (8-1, 0-0 KCAC)
Location: Oscar Williams Field House – Goodwell, Okla.

GOODWELL, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State was defeated in their first match-up of the season by the Warriors of Sterling College, 3-0 (22-25, 23-25, 22-25).

Despite all three sets being closely contested, the Rangers could not find a way to pull ahead of Sterling and claim a set in the match.

Individual Leaders

Nora To'omalatai would lead the Rangers with 11 total kills in her debut as a Ranger. Ashanti Banks added six kills to her stateline and Liz Dwyer finished the match with five as well.
Natalie Fahey led the black-and-red in total blocks with three.
Senior Kaydee Yukawa led the Rangers in assists with 13 and freshman Cassidy Hackett contributed 11 also.
Both To'omalatai and Hackett finished the match-up with seven digs apiece.

Game Changer

Sterling College was able to string together small multiple point runs at the end of each set in this match-up which propelled them to victory.
Most notably the Warriors 5-0 run late in the second set to give them a 2-0 overall lead over the Rangers.

News & Notes

This was Head Coach Fredrick Wagner debut match as Northwestern's head volleyball coach.
The Rangers finished with a team stat line of: 31 Kills / 4 Aces / 5 Blocks / 31 Assists / 38 Digs

The Basics - Game Two
Score: Northwestern 3 – Panhandle State 1
Records: Northwestern (1-1, 0-0 GAC) – OPSU (0-2, 0-0 Heartland)
Location: Oscar Williams Field House – Goodwell, Okla.

Goodwell, Okla. – Northwestern claimed their first victory of the 2015 season with a 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-18) win over the Aggies of Panhandle State.

The Rangers despite being defeated in set one, rallied back against the Aggies and was able to control the match down the stretch to win three straight sets over OPSU.

Individual Leaders

Nora To'omalatai led the Rangers in kills for the second straight match with 18 total.
Asia Pipkin, Lachelle Purrier, and Maggie Ireton all led the black-and-red with two total blocks in the match.
Kaydee Yukawa would lead the visiting team in assists yet again with 19 total and Cassidy Hackett would add 14 assists of her own.
Carley Geer led in overall digs with 15 total in the contest.

Game Changer

Northwestern went on a 7-3 run to claim the third set and gain a 2-1 overall advantage over the Aggies which certainly kept confidence levels high to continue on and finish the match in set number four.
The Rangers held the advantage in the passing game as they would finish with 40 total assists compared to Panhandle State's 29.

News & Notes

Head Coach Fredrick Wagner notches his first victory at Northwestern Oklahoma State.
The Rangers finished with a team stat line of: 45 Kills / 6 Aces / 7 Blocks / 40 Assists / 49 Digs

Up Next
Northwestern will face off against Fort Lewis College in day two of the OPSU Aggie Challenge tomorrow, September 5 at 9:00 a.m. and will either participate in the championship or consolation match later that day.

For the latest information on Ranger volleyball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on Twitter or go to www.riderangersride.com.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#4 Natalie Fahey: MB; 6' 0"; Junior

#8 Kaydee Yukawa: S; 5' 2"; Senior

#11 Carley Geer: DS/L; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#12 Ashanti Banks: OH; 5' 10"; Senior

#13 Nora To'omalatai: OH; 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior

#14 Asia Pipkin: OH; 5' 9"; Junior

#16 Lachelle Purrier: MB; 5' 11"; Senior

#18 Cassidy Hackett: S; 5' 6"; Freshman

#19 Liz Dwyer: OPP; 6' 0"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#4 Natalie Fahey
: 6' 0"; Junior
: MB

#8 Kaydee Yukawa
: 5' 2"; Senior
: S

#11 Carley Geer
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: DS/L

#12 Ashanti Banks
: 5' 10"; Senior
: OH

#13 Nora To'omalatai
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior
: OH

#14 Asia Pipkin
: 5' 9"; Junior
: OH

#16 Lachelle Purrier
: 5' 11"; Senior
: MB

#18 Cassidy Hackett
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: S

#19 Liz Dwyer
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: OPP