ALVA, Okla. - The Southern Nazarene volleyball team put up a terrific fight on the road against Northwestern OSU in GAC action, but eventually fell short in three sets, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22, on Tuesday evening at Percefull Fieldhouse in Alva.

SNU outnumbered Northwestern in their attack, finishing with 40 kills to the Rangers 37, but committed 24 errors to Northwestern's 16. The Storm had five blocks in the contest while Northwestern finished with five service aces.

After a back-and-forth affair in the first set, the Rangers ran out to an 18-12 lead and looked to have the set on cruise control. However, the Storm responded by taking eight of the next 10 points to level things at 20 a piece. Northwestern regained control by taking five of the final six points and taking the early lead.

It was SNU that took control in the middle portion of set two, turning an 11-11 draw into a 16-12 lead midway through the set. Northwestern fired back again and evened it at 18 a piece setting up a thrilling, back-and-forth set until the match was tied at 23. The Rangers took the final two points and a 2-0 lead with momentum all on their side.

Northwestern looked to close the match on their home floor, moving ahead 17-12 in set three, but SNU did not give up, continuing to inch and claw closer as they looked to extend the match. The Storm got it down to 23-21, but it was not enough as the Rangers closed the door and took the match in three.

Sophomore Kayla Thomas led the SNU attack with 14 kills to only two errors for a .414 hitting percentage while junior Bailee Turang followed with 11 kills. Junior Kylie Smith had 24 while Turang and sophomore Meagan Ellis each had a service ace.

Defensively, freshman Logan Matthews had 13 digs while junior Makayla Shonamon added nine. Turang and senior Makenna Hunter each had a solo block and a block assist. 

For the Rangers, Brooklynn Hesson had 11 kills while Kaitlyn Robinson had 16 assists and Dani Dagley had three service aces.

The Storm move to 8-9 on the season and 2-2 in GAC play. SNU returns home to the Sawyer Center on Thursday to begin a three-game home stand starting with the Tigers of East Central at 7 PM.