Drovers Win a Pair on Final Day of the Wolf Pack Welcome in NOLA

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Saturday morning, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (2-2, 0-0 SAC) won a pair of matches at day two of the Wolf Pack Welcome in NOLA. The Drovers opened the day with a commanding 3-0 sweep against Florida Memorial University, prior to an impressive 3-1 win against Indiana University South Bend.

vs FLORIDA MEMORIAL (0-7, 0-0 SUN)

USAO got back on track with a tremendous performance to claim their first win of the year, sweeping Florida Memorial University three sets.

The Drovers were on fire to start the match, jumping out to an early 11-0 lead, highlighted by four service aces from Ytzel Garcia. USAO closed the set strong and cruised to a 25-12 win.

In the second set, the Drovers were once again in full control and took a two-set lead with a dominant 25-16 performance.

The Lions kept the score closer early in the third set, with USAO holding a 13-10 advantage midway through the frame. The Drovers closed out on an incredible 12-3 run, to earn the sweep with a 25-13 triumph.

As a team, the Drover offense produced an impressive .248 attack percentage with 42 kills, while the Lions recorded a -.014 attack percentage and 16 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 36 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 34 digs and 4.0 total blocks. Florida Memorial produced only 14 assists, 41 digs, and 8.0 total blocks. Additionally, USAO recorded 10 service aces, while FMU tallied two.

The USAO offense used a well-balanced attack to overwhelm the Lions, led by an 11-kill performance from Cloe Conover. Conover was also efficient, putting balls away at a .333 attack percentage.

Morgan Kobe put away six kills on an impressive .545 attack percentage, while Giselle Calderon produced six kills on a .364 attack percentage. Victoria Wright and Jaliyah Cox each concluded with six kills as well.

Ytzel Garcia produced a match-high of 24 assists and seven service aces.

Samantha Perez contributed a match-high of 12 digs on defense, in addition to four kills, two aces, and two block assists. Brynlee Birney added nine digs and four assists.

vs IU SOUTH BEND (2-2, 0-0 CCAC)

The teams traded points early in the first set, and the score was pulled even at 9-9 prior to USAO holding a 13-11 advantage midway through the frame. The Drovers got hot and closed the set on a 12-5 run to wrap up a 25-16 win.

The second set started similarly to the first, with both teams exchanging the lead. The Drovers held a slim 13-11 lead midway through, before taking a two-set advantage with a 25-21 victory.

Indiana South Bend began to turn things around in the begging of the third set, holding a slim 8-5 lead. USAO used an 8-4 run to claim a 13-12 midway through the frame. The two teams battled until the end but the Titans were able to edge their way to a 26-24 win to keep the match going.

The Drovers finished the weekend strong with a 25-18 victory to close out the four-set match.

As a team, the Drover offense produced a .186 attack percentage with 50 kills, while the Titans recorded a dismal .075 attack percentage and 40 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 41 assists, meanwhile the defense produced a staggering 63 digs and 10.0 total blocks. IU South Bend produced 37 assists, 66 digs, and 4.0 total blocks. Additionally, USAO recorded seven service aces, while IUSB tallied six.

The USAO offense was led by a sensational performance from Chloe Conover with 11 kills and eight block assists. Samamtha Perez also tallied 11 kills, in addition to eight digs.

Jaliyah Cox put away nine kills, followed by Morgan Kobe with seven kills and eight block assists.

Ytzel Garcia dished out a team-high of 22 assists, along with seven digs on defense. Bailey Makahununiu closed the match with 15 assists and nine digs.

Brynlee Birney anchored USAO's defense with a match-high of 21 digs, in addition to four assists.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on Friday, Aug. 29 as they travel to Little Rock, Ark. for a double-header against Rust University (Miss.) and Jarvis Christian University (Texas). USAO will face Rust at 12:00 PM CT, followed by a match against JCU at 2:00 PM CT on the campus of Philander Smith University.

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