HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS - Northwestern Oklahoma State opened the the conference tournament on Thursday afternoon in the first round against #2 seed Harding Bisons. Harding took the opening set 25-22 before closing out the match sweep 3-0 over the Rangers.
Rangers finish the season 13-16 overall on the season with a 7-10 conference record including the postseason match.
Northwestern led by Erika Asencio Soriano with 12 kills and 12 digs in the afternoon along with three service aces. Hennesys Lalane led the team with 29 assists in the match, while Brianda Diaz had 22 digs in the afternoon.
SET ONE:
Harding struck first in the opening set with the first point on a kill by Maegan Lacy for the early 1-0 lead. The Rangers then went on a quick 3-0 run started by a Macy Shreffler kill assisted by Hennesys Lalane which continued following a kill by Lalane for the 3-1 lead. Harding ended the run with a kill before working their way back to a 6-6 tie score. The Bisons regained the lead at 7-6 before extending their lead to 9-7. After a kill by Ozdmire bringing the score to 9-8, Harding worked a 9-2 run to extend their lead to 17-10 which included three straight kills by Lambert before a service ace. Erika Ascencio Soriano ended the Bisons run for a 17-11 deficit. This started a run for the Rangers working the score back within two at 19-17 as two straight service aces by Erika Ascencio Soriano, and a block by Carmae Jones kept the Rangers within two points. However Harding extended their lead back to 22-18, but the Rangers were able to get back within one point after two straight attack errors, as the Rangers were back within one at 23-22. Harding won the set 25-22 to take an opening 1-0 match lead following the win.
SET TWO:
Rangers opened with the first point of the second set on a kill by Ozdemir for the 1-0 lead. Northwestern then used a 4-0 run to take a 5-2 lead over the Bisons, started by a block by Mariela Jimenez. Harding ended the run with a Ranger attack error that helped the Bisons come back to tie the set at 6-6. Rangers then took a 10-7 lead following two kills by Ascencio Soriano and a block by Carmae Jones. However, Harding came back to strike for six straight points, swinging the score into the Bisons favor for a 13-10 lead. Harding pushed their lead to four at 16-12 before the Rangers worked their way back within one point on two different time at 17-16 and 19-18 before Harding closed out the second set with a 6-1 run closing out the set win over the Rangers by final 25-19 and taking a 2-0 match lead over the Rangers in Hot Springs.
SET THREE:
Northwestern, looking to change the momentum of the match, opened the third set with four straight points. Started by a kill from Ozdemire and a block by Macy Shreffler and a kill gave the Rangers the early 4-0 lead. Ashley Lamkin had a kill for the Bisons first point of the match. Harding went on a 6-0 run to steal the lead from the Rangers taking an 8-5 lead which included three kills, service ace on the run. After two Ragner points on kills by Jimenez and Ascencio Soriano had the Rangers within one but Harding answered with a 5-1 run continuing to extend the Harding lead to 13-8. Rangers answered with the same 5-1 run started by a kill from Ascencio Soriano and Carmae Jones helping the Rangers get back within one point at 14-13. Harding, out of a timeout, went on a 5-1 run to extend their lead to 19-14. After a Ranger point at 19-15, Harding closed the set on a 6-1 run to take their third straight set at 25-16 to win the match 3-0.
Harding moves on to the second round on Friday for the GAC tournament following the win. \
For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Athletics, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.
