SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist fell in five sets to Emporia State before sweeping Newman on Friday during the GAC-MIAA Crossover at the Noble Complex.
EMPORIA MATCH
Emporia State outlasted Oklahoma Baptist in a five-set thriller Friday, earning a 3-2 victory (11-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-25, 17-15) inside the Noble Complex.
After dropping the opening set 25-11, the Hornets (8-2) rallied behind a balanced offensive attack. Camilla Ossola sparked the comeback with 13 kills on .304 hitting, while Nyia Anderson added a team-high 15 kills and 15 digs for a double-double. Emporia State edged out the second set 25-23, then grabbed control in the third, holding off a late Bison push to win 25-21.
Oklahoma Baptist (8-3) responded in the fourth set, riding the arm of
Allie Stricker, who finished with a match-high 18 kills.
Mackenzie Frazee was equally effective, posting nine kills at a .400 clip to help the Bison dominate the frame 25-15 and force a decisive fifth.
The final set was a back-and-forth battle, featuring five ties and two lead changes. ESU capitalized on timely blocks from Mia Frisbie and steady back-row play by Boglarka Rady, who tallied 17 digs. The Hornets ultimately prevailed 17-15, sealing the win on a kill from Anderson.
Overall, Emporia State hit .173 compared to Oklahoma Baptist's .224 but made up for it with 16 total blocks and key defensive stops. The loss snapped the Bison's five-match win streak.
NEWMAN MATCH
The Bison earned a decisive sweep over Newman in the nightcap on Friday, winning 25-21, 25-17, 25-21. The Bison improved to 9-3 overall, while Newman dropped to 2-8.
OBU's offense clicked throughout the match, hitting .259 as a team. Frazee powered the front row with 10 kills on a blistering .563 efficiency while adding two service aces and two blocks for a match-high 14 points.
Melody Donegan came off the bench to tally six kills at a .333 clip, while
Allie Stricker chipped in seven kills and a solo block.
Setter
Emily Boyer directed the offense with 16 assists to go along with 10 digs, while libero
Karsyn Hunter anchored the back row with a team-best eight digs.
Rylee Unruh contributed across the board with four kills, six aces, and six digs. Unruh's six aces are tied for third-most all-time. The school record is eight, held by Gabi Samuels during a Sept. 18, 2009 match versus Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Newman challenged early, pushing the Bison in the opening and final sets, but the Jets were held to a .126 hitting percentage. Isabella Lamb was a bright spot for the visitors, finishing with 10 kills on .571 hitting, while setter Madalyn Hoot dished out 19 assists and added nine digs.
Tomorrow, the green and gold will close out this crossover against Fort Hays State at 12:30 p.m.
