ALVA, OKLA. - Northwestern Oklahoma State University volleyball has gotten off on the right foot beginning their 2018 season with one of the best records in the Great American Conference. At 8-2, the Lady Rangers have cemented the best start in program history.
Despite losing in their first conference game against Oklahoma Baptist University, the Lady Rangers do not have any intentions of slowing down. Northwestern is currently sitting second in the conference in a few different categories, averaging 13 assists per set, 1.50 service aces per set and 20.50 digs per set. Also the black-and-red sit third in kills per set averaging 13, just short of first place Arkansas Tech University at 14.67 kills per set.
The Lady Rangers have a plethora of experience on the court which include three senior starters that offer a huge presence for their team. Two standout outside hitters in Brooklynn Hesson and Hannah Williams are commanding the offensive attack. Hesson is leading the team in kills after tallying up 106 through 10 matches with an average of 3.42 per set. Williams, the 6'0 Colorado native is averaging 3.43 kills while Tobi Barker averages .50 service aces per set, earning her second in the conference.
2017 first team All-Conference selection Jennifer Eubanks has been quiet offensively to start the 2018 season but has made her presence known when on the court. Eubanks is first on the team in total blocks with 23 and tied with setters, Kiauna Clark and Kaitlyn Robinson with 68 total kills.
Robinson plays a major part in the high-powered offense, posting 222 assists on the season so far while Cassidy Hackett follows with 122 assists.
Head coach Jeremy White brought in a young core featuring Kaydee Honeycutt, Claire Hodges and Dani Dagley who have all made a positive impact for the black-and-red, and will continue to gain more experience as they move forward with their first season as Lady Rangers.
Northwestern will face off against a strong University of Central Oklahoma team September 7 at 12 p.m. in Edmond, Okla. UCO enters play as a team who has knocked off #18 Tarleton State and #20 Wayne State. The MIAA/GAC Challenge hopes to be a step in the right direction for the Lady Rangers in proving not only to the conference but to themselves that they have potential to make a deep run.
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