ALVA, Okla.—Southern Nazarene dropped a tough three set road match (27-25, 31-29, 25-18) to Northwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday. The match was much closer than the three set sweep indicated as two of the three sets were extended beyond 25 points.
Northwestern (7-4, 1-0 GAC) jumped out to a 7-2 advantage in the first set but Southern Nazarene (5-7, 1-1 GAC) battled back, inching closer all game and eventually tying it at 23. The teams then traded the next five points leading to a slim 26-25 Ranger lead. Northwestern finally broke the pattern and won the first set 27-25.
Set two was long and extended all the way to 31 points. Northwestern quickly jumped in front 6-1 but SNU then rattled off six consecutive points to regain the lead at 7-6. From there, neither side held a lead greater than three points. Late in the game, Southern Nazarene had a chance to close out the set with a slim 24-23 lead. Northwestern fended off set point, though, and the teams were forced into another extended set. Leading 26-25, the Storm again had a chance to close the set but were unable to do so. After trading the next six points, Northwestern finally closed the set following an SNU service error and SNU attack error.
After a heartbreaking loss in set two, Southern Nazarene was unable to respond in set three. Northwestern had gained momentum and rode it through set three. They never trailed after scoring the first seven points in the set. The lead later swelled to nine points before the Rangers settled for a match winning 25-18 set three win.
The Crimson Storm hit just .139 in the match. They were haunted by the service line as well, notching just 3 service aces to 10 service errors.
Tessa Henry led the team with 14 kills. She also added 7 digs.
Shantalle Demirjian and Whitney Bowie also recorded double-digit kills with 10 a piece.
Tatum Smith led the way defensively with 17 digs. Not far behind her was Madeline Lynch who dug out 16 balls.
Kaley Brubaker recorded her second straight double-double, and fifth in her last six games. She totaled 36 assists and 13 digs in the match.
After three straight road games, SNU returns home on Thursday night to host Southwestern Oklahoma State in another GAC matchup. SNU is 13-10 all-time against the Bulldogs but have lost the last three matchups. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. inside the Sawyer Center.
