TOPEKA, Kan. – Senior
Jenna West went off for a career-high 15 kills as Oklahoma Baptist won in three sets against William Jewell on Friday morning at the Washburn Invitational. The Bison improved to 2-3 with the result.
Key Leaders
- OH West: Her 15 kills bested three performances a season ago when she totaled nine.
- OH Lauren Safrit: Notched her first career double-double with 10 kills and 11 assists.
- S Rylee Martin: Secured a season-high 10 digs and dished out 23 assists, a match-high.
- MB Allie Stricker: Had one solo block and four block assists to lead OBU.
First Set
West hit .375 with four kills to lead the Bison who won 25-23 after a kill from their senior late. At one point, it was 11-9 OBU before the green and gold got a little breathing room. OBU ran its lead to 17-12 after a Cardinals error. Down the stretch, Jewell pulled to within one, 24-23, before an
Anna Howle timeout and subsequent kill by West ended the set.
Second Set
In the next stanza, which saw 11 ties and eight lead changes, the Bison won 26-24. West was sensational, tallying eight kills on 10 attempts. She helped lead the Bison to a .355 attack percentage too. Throughout the set, the biggest advantage either team got was two points. OBU faced some pressure late, though, trailing 23-22.
Jill Leslie provided the equalizing kill before the Bison won on another West kill.
Third Set
The previous set's competition reached a fever pitch in the third. This time around, there were a whopping 18 ties and eight lead changes.
Avery Hellmuth led the Bison with five kills as OBU limited the Cardinals' attack to a .161 attack mark. Late in the set, OBU held a 20-17 advantage before Jewell got in front 23-21 on a kill by Katy Garrison. Stricker and Sayfrit then ramped up the defensive effort with a combined block tying the set at 23-all. What followed was the Bison winning three of the next four points to claim victory.
On The Horizon
Next on the Friday schedule for the Bison is a 5 p.m. matchup with host and 17th-ranked Washburn.
