Drovers Set New Program Record with Sixth Consecutive Victory

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (6-2, 0-0 SAC) extended their win streak to a half-dozen with a pair of wins at the Panther Classic against Harris-Stowe State University (Mo.) and Philander Smith University (Ark.). The Drovers opened the day with a 3-1 victory against Harris-Stowe, prior to a 3-0 triumph against PSU. The six-match win streak is the longest in program history, eclipsing the previous mark set at the start of the 2021 season, when USAO began the season 5-0.

vs HARRIS-STOWE (1-4, 0-0 AMC)

The Drovers got off to a great start and jumped out to an 11-3 advantage, prior to claiming a 25-12 win in the opening set.
USAO struggled in the second set and the Hornets controlled a 9-6 lead early on, before cruising to a 25-13 win and pulled the match even at one set apiece.

The third set was tightly contested early on, but the Drovers were able to control a 13-7 lead midway through. USAO closed out the set strong and took a two sets to one lead with a 25-11 triumph.

USAO took an early advantage in the fourth set and held a 13-8 lead midway through the frame. The Drovers wrapped up their fifth win in a row with a 25-20 win in the fourth set against Harris-Stowe.

As a team, the Drover offense produced a .147 attack percentage with 37 kills, while the Hornets recorded a .056 attack percentage and 30 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 34 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 43 digs and 14.0 total blocks. Harris-Stowe produced 28 assists, 45 digs, and 10.0 total blocks. Additionally, USAO recorded 16 service aces, while HSSU tallied nine.

The USAO offense led by Samantha Perez with 11 kills on a .333 attack percentage, and she added a team-high of nine digs on defense.

Chloe Conover contributed nine kills and four block assists, followed by Morgan Kobe with four kills and six block assists.

Ytzel Garcia distributed a match-high of 16 assists, as well as seven aces and six digs. Bailey Makahununiu dished out 11 assists, in addition to three aces and five digs.

Brynlee Birney and Alacia Ledoux each tallied seven digs.

vs PHILANDER SMITH (2-3, 0-0 HBCUAC)

The Drovers opened the match with a 25-18 triumph, before a dominant 25-9 victory in the second set. USAO wrapped up their sixth win in a row with a 25-19 performance in the final set.

As a team, the Drover offense produced an astounding .379 attack percentage with 44 kills, while the Panthers recorded a .112 attack percentage and 25 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 40 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 32 digs and 7.0 total blocks. Philander Smith produced 23 assists, 27 digs, and 4.0 total blocks. Additionally, USAO recorded 11 service aces, while PSU tallied only four.

The USAO offense was led by a sensational performance from Jaliyah Cox, putting away nine kills on an .818 attack percentage. Samantha Perez added eight kills and three digs.

Giselle Calderon tallied seven kills on a .600 attack percentage, while Victoria Wright produced seven kills and a .545 attack percentage.

Bailey Makahununiu distributed a team-high of 20 assists and three aces, followed by Ytzel Garcia with 18 assists and three aces.

Brynlee Birney anchored the USAO defense with a match-high of 11 digs.

MORE NOTES

Ytzel Garcia currently ranks third in the NAIA in service aces (23), followed by Samantha Perez in eighth (21).

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now return home and open conference-play against MACU on Wednesday, Sept. 3. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 PM CT inside Drover Fieldhouse.

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