JOPLIN, Mo. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State Volleyball team opened the season with two losses on day one of the Southern Invite, falling in four sets to Southwest Baptist and Missouri Southern.
Game 1
In game one, Northwestern found themselves in an early 4-0 hole to Southwest Baptist. The Rangers battled back quickly to close the gap at 6-3. The Bearcats answered back with a scoring run to expand the lead, but The Rangers answered back again with a 5-3 run to cut the lead down to 15-10 midway through the set. The rest of the set was much of the same as Northwestern dropped set one 25-17.
The second set was a tight contest, as both sides traded the lead in the early going. Northwestern held the lead a couple times in the early going but Southwest Baptist took the lead at 8-7 and held it for most of the set. The Rangers never let the Bearcats get to far ahead and managed to tie it late in the game at 24.
Northwestern rallied back in the third set after being down 3-0 to start, the Rangers went on a 6-2 run to take the lead early on in the set. The Bearcats were able to tie things up at the half way point, then took the lead at 10-9. Northwestern answered back taking a 17-16 lead, a lead they wouldn't surrender to win set number three.
Set four was all Northwestern early, as the Rangers jumped out to a 5-0 lead to start the set. Northwestern fought off multiple comeback attempts by Southwest Baptist before the Bearcats eventually took the lead late. Northwestern continued to fight but could not close in, falling in the fourth set.
Game 2
In set one, Northwestern jumped out to an early 4-2 lead over Missouri Southern. The Lions responded with a scoring run to take a 6-5 advantage before extending their lead to 12-6. The Rangers continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 14-8, but Missouri Southern answered back to stretch the lead to 21-10. Northwestern put together a late 6-3 run to close the gap, but the Lions held on as the Rangers dropped set one 25-16.
In set two, Northwestern came out strong, jumping to an early 5-3 lead over Missouri Southern. The Rangers continued to control the set, extending their advantage to 12-8 before a 3-1 run pushed the lead to 15-9. Missouri Southern battled back to cut the deficit to 19-16, but Northwestern responded with a 4-0 run to take a 23-16 lead. The Rangers closed out the set strong, winning 25-18 to even the match at one set apiece.
In set three, Northwestern and Missouri Southern battled back and forth early, with neither team able to create much separation. The Rangers used a scoring run to take a 10-9 lead, but the Lions responded to pull ahead 13-10. Missouri Southern continued to build its advantage, taking a 19-14 lead midway through the set. Northwestern continued to battle, putting together a late run to cut the deficit to just one at 20-19. The Rangers stayed within striking distance at 23-22, but Missouri Southern scored the final two points to take set three 25-22 and a 2-1 lead in the match.
In set four, Missouri Southern jumped out to an early 5-2 lead before extending the advantage to 10-5. Northwestern battled back with a strong run to cut the deficit to 11-10 before eventually tying the set at 11-11. The two teams continued to trade points before the Lions pulled ahead 18-13. The Rangers refused to go away, using a late 5-0 run to battle all the way back and tie the set at 22-22. Missouri Southern answered by scoring the final three points to take the set 25-22 and win the match, 3-1.
The Rangers will be in action again tomorrow beginning at 1 p.m. to take on Missouri S&T and Northeastern on day two of the Southern Invite.
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