ALVA, Okla. - The Northwestern Oklahoma State volleyball team fell to Southwestern, 3-1, on Thursday night.
The Bulldogs came out strong taking an early 4-0 lead over the Rangers to start the set, with the Rangers using kills by Kemelly Baez Miecznikoski and Tess de Zanet, to cut the deficit by two. The Rangers continued to fight back, scoring three points by Tess de Zanet, Kaylah Thomas, and Ivanny Blackwood. The Rangers and Bulldogs continue to fight with alternating runs and keeping the score within a three point difference. Southwestern eventually created some separation with a run, taking a 20-13 lead over the Rangers. The Rangers didn't go down without a fight, getting a kill by Avery Lane to stay in the set, but the Bulldogs were able to extend their lead with a service error and taking set one, 25-15.
Starting set two, the Rangers and Bulldogs battled back and forth with the Rangers taking an early 4-1 lead using kills by Thomas and de Zanet. The Bulldogs tried to rally, but the Rangers continued to extend their lead taking a 10-4 advantage. Kills by Miecznikoski, Blackwood, and Celia Mbaya continue to shake up the Bulldogs and extend the Ranger lead to 15-7. Northwestern continued their run, adding on a pair of kills by Mbaya and de Zanet extending the score to 19-10. Southwestern tacked on a couple points using kills and cutting the score to 21-12. The Rangers fought back and took the final points, winning the set, 25-17.
The Bulldogs took an early advantage to begin the third set with an 11-3 run, but Northwestern added on two points from attack errors to make the score 11-5. The Bulldogs continued their run by taking a 20-12 lead over the Rangers, with Northwestern using kills by Blackwood and Mbaya to add to the Ranger score late in the set. Southwestern maintained control and took set three 25-19.
Set four started with the Bulldogs taking an early 7-0 lead over the Rangers, but Northwestern added pressure to the Bulldogs, using kills by Blackwood and Ryann Eastes to make the score 9-6. Southwestern extended their score on an 8-2 run, as Northwestern closed the gap with kills by Blackwood and Mbaya, to bring the score to 18-14. The Rangers and Bulldogs continued to fight back and forth, keeping the set within a three-point deficit before Southwestern won the set 25-21, giving them a 3-1 victory.
The Rangers will be back in action on Sept. 29, when they travel to Wichita, Kansas to take on Newman at 6 p.m.
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