Blair Sets Single-Match Assists Record

SHAWNEE – (HTML Box Score) Oklahoma Baptist took an early lead but ultimately fell 2-3 (25-23, 25-21, 27-29, 23-25, 13-15) to Northwestern Oklahoma State in a Great American Conference volleyball match Thursday night at the Noble Complex.
 
After cruising to wins in the first two sets, the Lady Bison (16-13, 10-4 GAC) fell in an extended third set, giving the Rangers (19-9, 9-5 GAC) new life. Northwestern closed out the fourth set with four straight points to force a decisive fifth set. A kill from Mikayla Watson gave OBU a 12-10 advantage in the final frame, but the Rangers used a 5-1 run to take the match and upset the Lady Bison.
 
Multiple season and program records were set by Oklahoma Baptist during the match. Hayden Blair finished with 65 assists to set a new high-water mark for the program, eclipsing Sabra Clark's 63-assist match against Wayland Baptist in 2010. As a team, the Lady Bison collected 78 assists to pass the previous mark of 76 against McPherson in 2008.
 
Watson set a new season high with 24 kills to lead all players while picking up a double-double with 18 digs. She was one of three OBU hitters to finish with at least 20 kills. Cadyn Laing added 23 kills, 10 digs and a team-high six total blocks, and Malia Leatherland had 20 kills and 14 digs on .381 hitting. Freshman Kelsi Chavez finished with 33 digs, the second-most for the team this season.
 
The Lady Bison set off on their final road trip of the regular season Tuesday, taking on Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant at 7 p.m.