ALVA, Okla. – Despite posting a better team hitting percentage for the night, the Rangers dropped a five-set loss to Henderson State, 3-2 (22-25, 25-17, 25-23, 22-25, 9-15).

The Rangers (16-8, 6-4 GAC) couldn't close out the Reddies (11-12, 4-6 GAC) and dropped the final two sets of the evening to drop their third consecutive conference loss. Northwestern posted a team hitting percentage of .226, outdoing the Reddies, who posted a .199 number, but consistently struggled with the opposing squad at the net, as Henderson posted 11 total blocks throughout the contest.

Junior Brooklynn Hesson led the way for the Rangers with a season-high 21 kills on 49 total attacks.  Fellow junior Hannah Williams and Jennifer Eubanks also chipped in on the offensive attack, posting 17 and 12 kills respectively.

Setters Kaitlyn Robinson and Kiauna Clark continued to show off their versatility, with Clark posting 30 assists, 20 digs, and six kills and Robinson posting 22 assists, 11 digs and three kills. Senior Carley Geer led the defensive effort with 22 digs of her own.

After dropping a tough first set, the Rangers came back with a vengeance and took the second set after being down 13-7 in the set. Northwestern continued the momentum with a close third set victory thanks to final points from Eubanks and Hesson, 25-23, but dropped the final two sets in heart-breaking fashion.

The Rangers will get their chance at redemption tomorrow afternoon at home in Percefull Fieldhouse against Ouachita Baptist.