EDMOND, Okla. - The Crimson Storm competed in the UCO/OBU Tournament on Friday and Saturday afternoon competing against Newman, Emporia State, and No.2 Central Oklahoma in a GAC MIAA crossover. The Storm started strong, picking up a win over Newman, but struggled to continue their momentum falling to the Hornets and No. 2 Bronchos.

Game 1

Southern Nazarene opened the UCO/OBU Tournament with a statement win on Friday morning, sweeping Newman University 3-0 inside the Noble Complex in Shawnee.

The Crimson Storm (4-7, 0-0 GAC) hit a season-best .375 as a team and never lost control, defeating the Jets (2-7, 0-0 MIAA) by scores of 25-18, 25-23, and 25-15.

Southern Nazarene came out firing in the first set, putting down 16 kills with just two errors for a remarkable .500 hitting percentage. Rayanna Mauldin's early swings sparked the offense, and Georgia Byers added back-to-back kills to build a 14-10 cushion. A 5-1 run, capped by a Riley Richardson kill, gave SNU breathing room before they closed out the opener 25-18.

The second set proved to be the tightest of the match. Newman battled back from an early deficit and evened things up at 20-20. Richardson then delivered a kill to make it 23-22, and Molly Langford followed with a crucial swing to push the Storm to set point. A kill from Jaidyn Reid sealed it, 25-23.

In the third, the Crimson Storm wasted no time putting the Jets away. Rayanna Mauldin recorded three kills during an early 7-1 surge, and Sydney Marquez's defense in the back row kept Newman off balance. Up 18-12, SNU slammed the door with another run—Richardson and Byers combining for four kills down the stretch—before a final Richardson kill secured the victory, 25-15

Game 2

Southern Nazarene dropped its second match of the UCO/OBU Tournament on Friday afternoon, falling 3-0 to Emporia State (9-2, 0-0 MIAA) inside the Noble Complex.

SNU came out sharp in the opening frame, hitting .279 as a team. Kate Wright and Rayanna Mauldin powered the offense with early kills. A late Hornet run, however, swung the momentum as Emporia closed the set 25-23 despite SNU's efficient hitting.

The second set proved to be the closest of the match. SNU hit .311 behind balanced swings from Wright, Mauldin, and Georgia Byers, who strung together key kills to keep the Hornets within striking distance.The two squads traded points, but the Hornets powered down two kills to snag set two 29-27.

In the third, the Crimson Storm struggled to find rhythm, committing seven attack errors while the Hornets pulled away. SNU did their best to spark some offense, but Emporia's steady attack carried them to a 25-17 finish.

Game 3

Southern Nazarene faced its toughest challenge yet in the UCO/OBU Tournament on Saturday afternoon, falling to No. 2 Central Oklahoma, 3-0, in Edmond.

In the opening set, SNU could not overcome a slow start, hitting just .061 as a team. Kate Wright led the charge with six kills, but Central Oklahoma's (14-0, 0-0 MIAA) consistent offense kept them at bay. The Bronchos' defense stifled any momentum the Crimson Storm gained, and Cntral Oklahoma cruised to a 25-17 win.

The second set saw Wright, Byers, and Riley Richardson provide some key kills, but the Bronchos were too efficient, hitting .333. Despite late pushes, including a strong dig from Wright and a block by Molly Langford, Central Oklahoma finished the set 25-14.

In the third, the Bronchos closed out the match with an explosive performance, hitting .353 as a team. The Crimson Storm could not find an answer to Central Oklahoma's offensive onslaught, falling 25-19.

Next Up

The Crimson Storm will return to the Sawyer Center to host Oklahoma Baptist in their Great American Conference opener on Tuesday, September 23 at 6:00 pm.