The Drovers played a non-conference game against the East Central University (ECU) Tigers. The Drovers came into the game with a 5-5 overall record and a 2-3 conference record. USAO came into this game fresh off a 3-1 win against Langston University. Unfortunately, the team was not able to carry that momentum into this game.
“I feel as though we were lacking in communication on the court today, leading to balls hitting the floor that should not have. We also have to be more consistent on our first contacts, as well as managing unforced errors,” Bruna Duarte, junior right said hitter, said. “I wasn’t playing today because I sprained my ankle, but I was there with my team and this is the perspective I have watching the game off the court, and I believe in my team and my coach, and I know that we can play so much better.”
The Drovers fought a hard battle but unfortunately were not able to come away with the win, losing 3-0. The first set the Drovers lost 25-18, they had eight kills in the set compared to ECU’s 12. It was an even back and forth match until ECU pulled away.
The second set ended with a final score of 25-11. The Drovers again had eight kills this set. The kill leader for the Drovers was junior outside hitter Victoria Southerland. She recorded ten kills this game bringing her season total to 86 kills.
The third set of the game ended not favorably for the Drovers, losing 25-13. USAO only tallied five kills compared to the ECU’s ten kills. The Drovers struggled mainly with errors as they had 11 more than the Tigers did for the game.
“We learned that communication and trusting ourselves is important to win games, and we also learned that we cannot let our mistakes get to us, we do not want to repeat the same errors from today on the game tomorrow. I am excited to see how my team will show improvement for the people that cheer for us during the game,” Duarte said.
The team has goals of making top 5 in the conference and having national aspirations. The Drovers will continue to strive towards this goal Saturday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. as they take on the Central Christian College Tigers at home in the Drover Fieldhouse.
Austin Jackson is a first-year history education major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
