BETHANY, Okla. – SNU Volleyball knew exactly how to write the story of their 2023 home-opener, rallying back from a two-set deficit to defeat Central Oklahoma 3-2.
The Bronchos (4-1, 0-0 MIAA) have had SNU's number the past few seasons, riding on a six-game win streak that began in 2015. The Storm (4-1, 0-0 GAC) not only handed UCO their first loss of the season, but they fought out of a two-set hole and stunned the Bronchos with three-straight thrilling set-wins.
The Storm stayed in line with the Bronchos from opening serve until attack errors and a strong UCO offense by the Storm gave the Bronchos an edge late in the set, putting SNU behind by as many as six. SNU turned their six-point deficit into two after numerous scoring runs, but UCO warded off their comeback, taking the first set 25-22
In set 2, SNU maintained an early lead of three before UCO frazzled the Storm with errors, tying the set 8-8. The Bronchos built a scoring run to climb to a 17-10 lead, one of their largest of the match.
Whitney Bowie overruled UCO's defensive game, powering down three quick kills and and a block at the net to put SNU behind two, 21-19. UCO held it together and put the Storm away with four consecutive points, ending set 2 with another victory 25-19.
SNU began its comeback journey with a 4-0 explosion to start set 3. Three back-to-back SNU errors allowed UCO to crawl within two at 12-10 and an eventual UCO lead change at 14-13. The teams went back and forth before SNU took advantage of a few UÇO errors and reclaimed the lead at 22-19. UCO strung together a few good offensive possessions, but kills from Bowie and
Tessa Henry put SNU back in the match, winning set 3, 25-21.
SNU continued their fight into the fourth set, jumping all over the Bronchos early to explode for a 10-3 lead. They kept their distance early in the set, until a 5-0 scoring run by the Bronchos tied the set at 22 all. Two kills from Henry and
Sunny Batschelett put SNU up two, but UCO would not go down without a fight, keeping the game alive with a kill of their own. Henry chose to quiet the Bronchos once more, sending UCO to the floor for the set-winning kill, 25-23.
As one would expect, the fifth and final set created an action-packed atmosphere inside the Sawyer Center. UCO felt the pressure, but managed to hold up both sides of their game, working to a 6-3 lead in set 5. An SNU service error and two consecutive kills increased UCO's lead to five, five points away from match victory.
The Storm quickly kept the match alive with a defensive wall, digging up every UCO attack to come within three at 12-9. UCO committed a costly error that turned into an ace for
Madeline Lynch, igniting SNU's fierce comeback agenda. Another ace by Lynch and two powerful kills from Batschelett snatched the lead from UCO and SNU was in line for match point at 14-13.
The Bronchos retied the game on two more possessions, but a kill from Bowie put SNU ahead 16-17 with Lynch set to serve once more.
Rayanna Mauldin sealed the deal with a match-winning ace by a final score of 17-15, earning SNU's fourth win of the season and their first win over the Bronchos since 2013.
Batschelett led SNU offensively with 18 kills while Bowie followed with 17 and Henry with 11.
Kaley Brubaker, recent GAC Player of the Week, dominated with 51 total assists. She also recorded 21 digs with Lynch recording 21 as well.
SNU will be back on the road for more tournament play just before the start of conference competition. The Storm head to Hays, Kansas for the Tiger Classic on September 8
th and 9
th. SNU will be back at home on September 15
th to host another non-conference match against Southwest Baptist.
