Drovers Sweep College of the Ozarks to Establish New Program Wins Record

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (15-11, 9-8 SAC) set a new program wins record with a three-set sweep against College of the Ozarks (13-9, 8-8 SAC). With the win, the Drovers complete the impressive season sweep against the Bobcats, having won both regular season matchups.

The Drovers now move up to seventh in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, with five 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 a15-11 record this season, setting a new program record for wins in a single-season, besting the previous mark of 14 which was achieved in 2021 when the Drovers finished 14-17.

The Drovers trailed early in all three sets but managed to catch fire midway through each time to grab the wins. USAO opened the match with a 25-20 win in the first set, followed by a 25-21 victory in the second frame. The Drovers wrapped up the sweep with another 25-20 triumph in the third set.

As a team, the Drover offense produced a tremendous .272 attack percentage with 41 kills, while the Bobcats recorded only a .139 attack percentage and 34 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 40 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 43 digs and 10.0 total blocks. CofO produced 30 assists, 33 digs, and 5.0 total blocks. The Drovers tallied four aces, while the Bobcats has three.

Chloe Conover led the USAO offense with 11 kills, along with eight digs, four blocks, and an ace. Conover now ranks fifth in the conference in kills with 239 this season.

Giselle Calderon contributed eight kills on an incredible .538 attack percentage, along with four blocks.

Victoria Wright and Jaliyah Cox each put away seven kills in the win. Morgan Kobe added six terminations and five blocks.

Ytzel Garcia distributed 33 assists, in addition to 10 digs, two kills, and three aces. Furthermore, Garcia now leads the Sooner Athletic Conference in aces with 51.

Brynlee Birney anchored USAO's defense with nine digs and five assists. Birney ranks fourth in the SAC in digs with 357.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 25 as they host John Brown University. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 PM CT inside Drover Fieldhouse.

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