Bison Season Ends in Five-Set Battle Against No. 2 Nebraska–Kearney
KEARNEY, Nebraska - Oklahoma Baptist saw its historic postseason run come to a close on Thursday evening, falling in a five-set thriller to top-seeded and No. 2 ranked Nebraska–Kearney (25-22, 25-21, 25–12, 25–18, 15–12) in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bison finish the 2025 season at 22–10 overall.
OBU set the tone early, battling through two competitive, back-and-forth sets to take a 2–0 lead on the road. The Bison attacked with confidence, defended with precision, and capitalized on late-set opportunities. In the opener, clutch serving and timely kills helped OBU pull away for a 25–22 win, while steady execution and solid defense secured a 25–21 victory in the second, giving the Bison a commanding advantage heading into the third.
Nebraska–Kearney responded, surging back with a dominant third set and carrying that momentum through the fourth to force a decisive fifth. Despite the momentum shift, OBU continued to defend at a high level, extend plays, and keep pressure on the opponent. The final frame stayed tight throughout, but UNK managed a late push to escape with the 15–12 victory.
Lauren Safrit led the Bison attack with 17 kills, adding 15 digs and two blocks.
Rylee Unruh followed with 15 kills and 13 digs.
Mackenzie Frazee added eight kills while
Allie Stricker contributed seven.
Emily Boyer directed the offense with 27 assists, 12 digs, and an ace.
Karsyn Hunter anchored the back row with 27 digs.
OBU's 89 total digs and 10 team blocks showcased the team's consistency on defense, reflecting the grit and resilience they showed throughout the match.
Despite the loss, Oklahoma Baptist closes the year with a 22-win season, a Great American Conference championship title, and another NCAA Tournament appearance, continuing the program's journey on to victory.
