Lady Bison Gut Out Win in Ada

Box Score
 
ADA, Oklahoma – All road wins are hard-earned, and Oklahoma Baptist volleyball proved that as they overcame a slow start to clinch a 3-2 (25-27, 25-16, 20-25, 25-11, 15-12) victory over East Central on Tuesday night at the Kerr Activities Center in Ada, Oklahoma.
 
The five set win was the first for OBU since the last time they faced East Central in Ada on October 26, 2017.
 
A sluggish start in the first set found OBU in a 12-5 hole, but fought to within 21-16 late in the set following a Malia Leatherland kill. That kill sparked a 7-0 run for the Lady Bison that featured a pair of Nicole Fleitman kills, eventually putting OBU up, 23-21. However, ECU regained the lead before taking the first set in extra points.
 
The Lady Bison responded to dropping the first set by dominating the second set, hitting .425 and laying down 20 kills. An early 3-0 run off kills by Leatherland and Brecken Roquemore gave OBU an early lead and the team never looked back. Kills by Mikayla Watson and Fleitman put the finishing touches on the set to level the score, 1-1.
 
Despite a lead midway through the third, a four-point swing by the Tigers gave ECU a 2-1 advantage. However, OBU responded emphatically in the fourth. The Lady Bison defense suffocated the Tigers' offense, allowing just four kills and holding ECU to a -.097 hitting percentage. Malia Leatherland was on target, laying down seven kills. A solo block by Nicole Fleitman forced the fifth set.
 
Trailing 8-3 at the turn, OBU rode an 8-1 run to take the lead that they'd never relinquish down the stretch. Though ECU tried to rally late, Watson laid down 16th kill of the match to bring about match point, and a block by Taylor Williams and Watson secured the match would go to OBU.
 
Four Lady Bison reached double figures in kills, paced by Leatherland's match-high 17. Watson was second on the team with 16, while Fleitman and Williams had 15 and 14 kills, respectively. Hayden Blair handed out 45 assists in the victory.
 
Defensively, OBU posted nine total blocks, led by five from Fleitman. Kelsi Chavez had 26 digs to lead the Lady Bison, while Watson (16), Blair (16) and Leatherland (15) also surpassed the 10-dig mark.
 
Oklahoma Baptist (9-10, 3-1 GAC) return to Mabee Arena in the Noble Complex Thursday for a conference meeting against Southwestern Oklahoma State at 3 p.m. The Lady Bison will then turn around and face the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith at 7 p.m.