Amid a five-game losing streak, USAO (4-7, 0-2 SAC) went into their exhibition game against East Central University (ECU) (4-0, 0-0 GAC) Tuesday, Sept. 10, hoping to gain experience and deepen their roster. Because of ECU’s NCAA Division II ranking, USAO faced a tall order if they wanted to pull out a win in this matchup.
The first set was an uphill battle against the Tigers’ strong blockers at the net. However, some skillful digs by the USAO backline helped keep the rallies close and brought some points for the Drovers. Although they put up a strong fight, ECU ended the set with a final score of 25-15.
Going into the second set, USAO brought out their second-string players to give them more experience on the court. The second set saw more strong blocking and hitting from the opponents that proved to be a struggle for the Drovers. ECU played a much more efficient set with four fewer attack errors, and nine fewer total scoring attempts compared to the first set. This efficiency led them to take the second set 25-12.
The third set is where USAO saw the most success. The score bounced back and forth but stayed within two points for the first half of the set. After some crucial plays, and a strong turn at serve by junior middle blocker Tara Utornik, the Drovers had a burst of momentum and created a lead for the first time in the match. They were able to ride the success for a while, but the set ended when the Tigers’ went on a 9-3 run that sealed the game.
Freshmen defensive specialist Brynlee Birney tried to dig her team out of their deficit as she recorded 19 digs in the game. Junior outside hitter Alacia Ledoux saw the most kills for USAO after recording five. Finally, freshman setter Josie Joyce and freshman setter Bailey Makahununiu went over double digits on aces as Joyce recorded 14 and Makahununiu had 11 on the night.
Although the Drovers walked away with a loss, Head Coach Robert Blakley was happy with the team’s performance.
“When we pass, everything else comes in line the way it’s supposed to be. We started passing a little bit better in that last [set].”
Focusing on getting everyone comfortable and working the new freshmen onto the team seemed to be the focus of that game; something that Blakley believes they did. The coach also looks forward to seeing the team become more consistent as the season goes on.
The Drovers will play at home Friday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. against Langston University.
Colin Monterroso is a first-year environmental science major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
