ALVA, OKLAHOMA - The Ranger Volleyball team closed out their week with a Friday afternoon match against the Henderson State Reddies. Northwestern dropped the first set before taking the next three in a row to win the match and snap a three game losing streak.
The Rangers improve to 12-10 on the season with a 6-5 conference record, while Henderson State falls to 12-12 with a 3-8 conference mark.
The Rangers were led by Erika Asencio Soriano with 19 kills followed by Ece Ozdemir with 13. Mikayla White led the team 36 assists and Brianda Diaz with 17 digs.
Henderson State came out firing early with a Ranger error followed by a kill by Chrstiane Uzoh for the early 2-0 lead. Asencio Soriano and Carmae Jones tied the set at 2-2 before the Reddies had a kill by Savannah Coats that started a 6-0 run that pushed the visitors lead to 9-3. After a service error Henderson State continued to extend the lead reaching double digits for the first time at 16-6. The run continued for eight straight points as Henderson State pushed their lead to 20-6 over the Rangers The Reddies then closed out the opening set win 25-9 over the Rangers taking a 1-0 match lead.
Northwestern Oklahoma State battled back though in the second set after trading opening points early on after a 2-2 tie Northwestern rattled off seven straight points started by a kill by Mariela Jimenez. The Rangers had three blocks on the run followed by a service ace taking a 9-2 lead. Henderson State worked their way back getting within three though with four straight kills and a block as the Rangers lead was cut to 10-7. Northwestern though picked up kills from Ozdemir and Blackwood before a defensive block by Carmae Jones pushing the Rangers lead back to five. Northwestern continued to hold the five point lead before another Ranger run pushed the lead to 23-16. Henderson State closed the gap after a 4-0 run to a 23-20 Ranger lead as Northwestern finished the set off with a 25-20 win following a kill by Jimenez as the Rangers even the match 1-1.
Henderson State was on the board first in set three before three straight ties had it even at 4-4. After a Rangers point, the Reddies rattled off five straight points to take a 9-5 lead over the Rangers. Henderson State extended their lead to 13-8. The Rangers made the comeback after trailing 18-13 a block by Mikayla White started a 3-0 run followed by a 5-0 run bringing a 8-1 run overall to steal the lead taking a 21-20 lead. Carmae Jones had two kills there along with a block from Ozge Yavuz. The Ranges trailed 25-24 as Henderson State grabbed set point but a block by Jimenez followed by two Reddies errors pushed the Rangers to a 27-25 set three victory and a 2-1 match lead.
The Rangers, looking to put an end to the match, scored the first three points of the set on a kill by Carmae Jones followed by a service ace for a 3-0 lead. Henderson State answered back though with four straight points to take a 4-3 lead. Asencio Soriano and Jones had back to back kills mixed with a Diaz service ace for the 6-4 lead. Henderson State tied the set at 10-10 followed by two kills. Northwestern then scored four straight points started by an Ozdemir kill and ended with an Ozdemir kill for a 14-10 lead. As the Rangers continued to hold a three point lead at 17-14 a block by Ozge Yavuz started a 5-0 run taking a 22-14 lead over Henderson State. The Rangers had three blocks on the run. Back to back kills by Erika Asencio Soriano helped close out the 25-17 set victory and a 3-1 match lead.
The Rangers will return to action on Tuesday evening against McPherson College with start time scheduled for 6:00 PM.
