Drovers Match Program Wins Record with Sweep at Langston

LANGSTON, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (14-11, 8-8 SAC) matched the program's single season wins record with a three-set sweep on the road at Langston University (9-15, 5-10 SAC). In head-to-head matchups, the Drovers have won eight of the last nine meetings since 2021.

With the win, the Drovers remain in eighth in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, with six matches remaining in the regular season. At the conclusion of the regular season, the league's top eight teams will qualify for the SAC Tournament, beginning Nov. 11.

Overall, USAO has a14-11 record this season, just one win shy of breaking the program record for a single-season, achieved in 2021 when the Drovers finished 14-17.

The Drovers were on fire out the gates, jumping out to a 9-1 lead, prior to winning the opening set 25-13.

In the second set, USAO once again built an early lead and held a 13-7 advantage midway through. The Drovers went on the take a two-set lead with a 25-17 win.

USAO opened the third set in a 10-2 run, before wrapping up the sweep with a 25-12 triumph.

As a team, the Drover offense produced an incredible .310 attack percentage with 38 kills, while the Lions recorded only a .000 attack percentage and 21 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 34 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 37 digs and 8.0 total blocks. Langston produced 18 assists, 24 digs, and 4.0 total blocks. Additionally, the Drovers scored on 11 aces, while the Lions served up only one ace.  

Chloe Conover led the USAO offense with a tremendous performance, concluding with 14 kills on a .464 attack percentage, in addition to eight digs, four aces, and three blocks. 

Morgan Kobe added seven kills and three blocks, followed by Jayla Blake and Jaliyah Cox with five terminations apiece. Giselle Calderon added three kills and five blocks.

Ytzel Garcia distributed 29 assists, in addition to six digs, two blocks, and two aces. Furthermore, Garcia established a new single season program-record with 634 assists, surpassing the previous record of 626 by Bailey Makahununiu last season. Garcia also set a new program-record for aces earlier this season, and currently sits with 48, which ranks second in the Sooner Athletic Conference. 

Brynlee Birney anchored USAO's defense with 10 digs, five assists, and three aces. Alacia Ledoux contributed seven digs. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 24 as they host College of the Ozarks. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 PM CT inside Drover Fieldhouse. 

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