KEARNEY, Neb. - The Northwestern Oklahoma State volleyball team split the opening day of the Rosella Meier UNK Fall Classic, as the Rangers defeated William Jewell, 3-1, before falling to No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney, 3-0.
Game 1
Northwestern Oklahoma State took control early and rolled to a 25-10 set win over William Jewell. After falling behind 2-0, the Rangers went on an 8-0 run highlighted by back-to-back aces from Andrea Djordjevic and kills from Tess de Zanet. The Rangers stayed in control the rest of the way, with Ivanny Blackwood adding two aces late in the set. Djordjevic and de Zanet helped close things out as Northwestern took the set, 25-10.
William Jewell jumped out to an early lead and held off Northwestern Oklahoma State for a 25-17 win in the second set. The Cardinals opened with a 4-0 run before the Rangers responded with kills from Djordjevic, Kemelly Baez Miecznikoski and Kaylah Thomas. Northwestern continued to battle, cutting the deficit to five late in the set behind a Jadyn Padilla service ace and kills from Blackwood and Thomas. William Jewell finished strong, however, to even the match at one set apiece.
Northwestern bounced back in a tight third set, defeating William Jewell 26-24. The teams traded points early before the Rangers built an 18-14 advantage behind kills from de Zanet and Thomas. William Jewell battled back and eventually took a 24-23 lead, but Northwestern responded with three straight points. De Zanet tied the set with a kill before another kill and a William Jewell error gave the Rangers the 26-24 win and a 2-1 match lead.
Northwestern closed out the match with a 25-19 win in the fourth set. The Rangers held a narrow lead early before pulling ahead 17-13 behind kills from Djordjevic and Miecznikoski. William Jewell stayed close, but Northwestern finished strong. De Zanet and Blackwood helped secure the final points as the Rangers took the set 25-19 and won the match 3-1.
Game 2
Northwestern battled Nebraska Kearney early in the opening set, staying within one at 8-7, with Blackwood, de Zanet and Miecznikoski leading the Rangers offensively. Nebraska Kearney took control from there, using a strong run to pull away. Northwestern was unable to slow the Lopers down late as UNK took the first set, 25-9.
The Rangers kept things close early in the second set, but Nebraska Kearney began to pull away midway through. De Zanet and Thomas helped lead Northwestern offensively as they tried to close the gap. Blackwood added a pair of late kills, but the Lopers maintained their advantage and took the second set, 25-14, to go up 2-0 in the match.
Nebraska Kearney took control early in the third set, building a 9-2 lead. Blackwood and de Zanet provided kills for Northwestern as the Rangers tried to cut into the deficit. The Lopers continued to pull away throughout the set. Northwestern struggled to find its rhythm offensively, and Nebraska Kearney closed out the set 25-6 to take the match, 3-0.
The Rangers will be back in action tomorrow at 1 p.m., when they wrap up the Rosella Meier UNK Fall Classic against Hastings College.
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