Drovers Extend Win Streak with Four-Set Win Against JBU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (16-11, 10-8 SAC) extended their win streak to four with a four-set victory against John Brown University (8-17, 4-13 SAC). With the win, the Drovers complete the regular season sweep against the Golden Eagles for the first time in program history.

The Drovers now move up to sixth in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings and clinch a berth into the SAC Tournament for the fifth year in a row. At the conclusion of the regular season, the league's top eight teams will qualify for the SAC Tournament, beginning Nov. 11.

On Saturday, the Drovers got off to a terrific start and opened the match with a commanding 25-13 win. USAO used another strong start to claim an early lead in the second set, but JBU began to gain momentum towards the end of the frame. The Drovers held strong and closed out the set with a 25-22 win.

The Golden Eagles extended the match with a 25-15 victory in the third set, but the Drovers quickly turned things around to wrap up the match with a 25-14 win.

As a team, the Drover offense produced a tremendous .306 attack percentage with 56 kills, while the Golden Eagles recorded only a .149 attack percentage and 39 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 50 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 47 digs and 10.0 total blocks. JBU produced 37 assists, 41 digs, and 4.0 total blocks. The Drovers tallied four aces, while the Golden Eagles had nine.

The Drovers used a well-balanced offensive attack to overwhelm the Golden Eagles, with four different players recording at least 10 kills. Chloe Conover led the way with 15 kills, eight digs, and five blocks. Conover now ranks third in the conference in kills with 254 this season.

Victoria Wright put away a dozen kills on a .381 attack percentage. Morgan Kobe and Samantha Perez each contributed 10 kills and three block assists. Kobe produced an incredible .615 attack percentage, while Perez swung at a clip of .400. Jaliyah Cox contributed six kills.

Ytzel Garcia distributed 44 assists, in addition to four digs, two kills, and two block assists. Furthermore, Garcia ranks fourth in the SAC in assists per set7.9, and ranks first in the league in aces per set (0.57).

Brynlee Birney anchored USAO's defense with 13 digs and five assists. Birney ranks fourth in the SAC in digs with 370. Alacia Ledoux was also solid defensively, concluding with 11 digs.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 28 as they travel to Ada, Okla. for an exhibition match at East Central University (NCAA DII). First serve is scheduled for 6:00 PM CT.

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