San Angelo Texas- The Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers volleyball team opened up their season with a doubleheader Friday with match one against Texas A&M Kingsville and Anderson University in the evening as part of the Kathleen Brasfield ASU Invitational. This invitational will continue into Saturday with two more matches.
Match 1:
On Friday afternoon, Northwestern Oklahoma State Volleyball opened their season, having the first match against Texas A&M Kingsville, who opened the year in the receiving votes part of the division II volleyball rankings.
The Rangers on Friday were led by Addison Wimmer, who finished the first match with six kills and three aces, both leading the team in those respective stats. Kaydee Honeycutt was second with five kills and one ace in the early game. Ravyn Burns led the Rangers with three blocks tied with Austyn Pine. Kelsey Ripperger led the Red-and-Black with 13 assists. Honeycutt led the Rangers with seven digs on the afternoon.
In the opening set, Kingsville opened a 9-4 lead to take the early advantage before the Rangers climbed back to an 18-15 deficit with a kill from Ripperger. The Rangers would rattle off four straight points off of Honeycutt serves. Texas A&M Kingsville would close the set on a 4-0 run to take the first set 25-17.
In the second set of match one, the Javelina's got out to a fast start getting the first five points of the set before Wimmer would put an end to the run. The Rangers would climb back into set two with four straight points, including three consecutive service aces by Wimmer. This brought the score to 17-15. Kingsville would rattle off three straight answering the Rangers' run. Texas A&M would win the second set with the exact score of set one of 25-17.
In the match's third set, the Rangers and Texas A&M traded points with a six to six tie score. Kingsville went up 10-6 before the Rangers climbed back to even the score at 12. The Javelina would follow with a 6-0 run to take an 18-12 lead before eventually closing out the match with a 25-19 win over the Rangers.
Match 2:
In the second match, the Rangers were led in kills by Addison Wimmer, finishing the game with 15 kills with 35 attacks. Honeycutt finished with five kills, along with Courtney Russell with five as well. Carmen Jones led with three blocks with Jessica Thompson and Russell with two blocks each. Abby Davis led the team in assists with 17 on the evening in the second match. Maggie Peterson finished with 17 digs.
Anderson University opened the match strong, opening a 4-1 lead before the Rangers answered back, tying the game at four before Anderson went on a 7-0 run to open an 11-4 deficit for Northwestern. The Rangers would keep chipping away, though, as they stormed back to take their first lead of the set at 20-19 following a block by Carmae Jones and Courtney Russell. Rangers opened a 22-19 and would finish the set in front 25-23 as Wimmer finished the kill.
The Red-and-Black would then jump out with the first two points of set two before Anderson University would rattle home 11 straight points to take an 11-2 lead. Anderson followed that run with a 7-0 run to build a 20-5 lead before winning the second set 25-7.
The third set brought the best out of both teams as they battled back in forth to open the set. Trading point after point as the set was locked in at 11 apiece. Anderson found some rhythm from there, though, as they could capitalize on a 6-0 run to take a 19-13 lead, which they would not lose, winning 25-17.
The fourth set of the evening went to Anderson to close out the match 3-1. After a 2-2 start, Anderson built a 14-6 lead. Rangers would try and rally back following a block by Jones, kill from Wimmer, and Russell but Anderson everyone run before closing the fourht and final set out with a 25-13 victory over the Rangers Friday evening.
Northwestern will be back in action Saturday with two matches. The first one started at 10 AM against Western Colorado and the second match at 6 PM against Angelo State.
For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Volleyball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.
