Alva Review-Courier -

ADA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers traveled to Ada for a match against East Central. The Tigers came out fast in this run, pouncing into an early lead in the first set, 20-14, and later on in the match 3-0.

The loss drops the Rangers to 6-10 on the season with a 3-2 conference record, while East Central improves to 7-9 and 2-3 in conference.

Set 1

Ivanny Blackwood had the first kill of the match, taking a 1-0 lead. East Central responded, though, and the two teams went point-for-point, tying seven times to 10-10.

The Tigers grabbed the next two points of the set, taking a 12-10 lead. East Central built momentum from there, slowly extending their lead. The Rangers called their first timeout at a 15-12 deficit but East Central pushed their lead to 20-14. East Central went on two 5-0 runs in a row, taking a six-point lead (20-14), and even got to 22-14 after two straight blocks for the Tigers. A couple of kills by Erika Ascencio Soriano helped the Rangers get back within four, but the Tigers closed out the set 25-20 for the 1-0 match lead.

Set 2

East Central started the second set as they closed out the first one: not letting the Rangers get back into the match. The Tigers opened with two straight points off of Ranger errors and three of the first four. Northwestern got as close as two twice at 7-5 before East Central took control. A service ace put their lead back to three at 8-5.

The Tigers led, 9-6, and then an 8-0 run gave them a 17-7 lead. Angel Nahinu and Emma Strickland finished off kills as the Tigers took a 20-9 lead. Macy Shreffler and Erika Ascencio Soriano picked up kills but the Tigers led 23-12 and eventually won the set 25-13. East Central had a 2-0 match lead.

Set 3

As the Rangers looked to extend the match, East Central struck with the first two points of the set, giving them a 2-0 lead that eventually went up to 3-1. However, a kill by Jimenez and Ece Ozdemir tied the set at 3-3. A kill by Emma Strickland put the Tigers back in front at 4-3 and started a 7-1 run that gave them a 10-4 lead over the Rangers. East Central continued to extend their lead to 17-9 before a block by Mikayla White and Carmae Jones ended that run. East Central later pushed their lead to double digits at 21-11. The Tigers won the set 25-16, and won the match 3-0.

Northwestern will return to action on Tuesday at home against Langston University with a start time of 6 p.m. The Rangers will return to conference play on the road Oct. 6 against Henderson State.