BETHANY, Okla. - The Northwestern Oklahoma State volleyball team fell to Southern Nazarene, 3-1, on Tuesday night.
Northwestern came out strong in the opening set, using a balanced attack to take control early. After the teams were tied at 3-3, the Rangers started to create some separation behind kills from Kemelly Baez Miecznikoski, Ivanny Blackwood, Tess de Zanet, and Kaylah Thomas. Northwestern continued to build its lead with strong play at the net, including several key blocks from Miecznikoski and Andrea Djordjevic. Southern Nazarene made a late push to cut into the deficit, but the Rangers stayed in front and closed out the opening set 25-21 to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to pull away for long. Northwestern grabbed a small advantage behind kills from de Zanet, Blackwood, Thomas, and Miecznikoski. The Rangers held a 20-18 lead before Southern Nazarene fought back to even the score. Northwestern continued to answer late, tying the set at 24-24, 25-25, and again at 26-26 behind key kills from Blackwood and de Zanet. Southern Nazarene was able to grab the final two points, taking the set 28-26 and evening the match at one set apiece.
Northwestern and Southern Nazarene stayed close early in the third set, with the Rangers getting kills from Thomas and Blackwood to keep things even at 6-6. SNU then put together a run to create some separation, but Northwestern continued to battle behind kills from de Zanet, Miecznikoski, Celia Mbaya, and Blackwood. The Rangers cut the deficit to 22-20 late in the set, but Southern Nazarene responded with three straight kills to close it out, 25-20, and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Northwestern jumped out to an early lead in the fourth set, getting kills from de Zanet, Thomas, and Blackwood. The Rangers stayed in front for much of the set, holding a 20-17 advantage before Southern Nazarene began to close the gap. The teams traded points down the stretch, with kills from Miecznikoski and de Zanet helping Northwestern take a 23-22 lead. SNU answered with the final three points, however, taking the set 25-23 and closing out the match, 3-1.
The Rangers will be back in action on Sept. 17, when they take on Southeastern Oklahoma State inside Percefull Fieldhouse at 6 p.m.
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