SE Drops GAC Opener Versus OBU

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern volleyball was unable to hold on to leads in the first and third sets, and saw a rally in the fourth set come up short in a 3-1 loss to Oklahoma Baptist in the Great American Conference opener on Tuesday night in Bloomer Sullivan Arena.
 
The loss drops the Savage Storm to 7-6 overall and 0-1 in GAC play heading into a rivalry matchup on Sept. 22 in Ada., Okla., against East Central at 7 p.m.
 
SE jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the first set and held onto the lead as OBU rallied to within two at 22-20.  The Bison would score the final five points of the set though to win 25-22 and take a 1-0 lead.
 
The Storm would reel off 9-0 run in the middle of the second set with Caitlin Cosby serving to turn a 15-14 lead into a 24-14 lead, eventually evening the match at 1-1 with a 25-16 win.
 
SE would take a late lead in the third set as well at 24-22, but dropped a match point rally as OBU won four-straight points to hand the Storm a 26-24 loss and leave the home team in a 2-1 hole.
 
The Bison would use a 6-1 run to open up an 11-7 lead in the fourth set, before eventually going in front by as many as six points as late as 17-11.  The Storm would rally, however, eventually closing to 23-20, but OBU would take the final two points for a 25-20 win in the set which clinched a 3-1 win in the match.
 
Karine Cavalcante led all hitters with 13 kills in the match, while Abby Jameson and Erika Costain added 10 each.
 
Julia Benford chipped in eight, while Arianna Baker added five.
 
Alissa Benson dished out 39 assists to pace the offense, while adding a block and six digs on defense.
 
Cosby led all defenders with 29 digs, while Cavalcante wrapped up a double-double with 15.
 
Baker would finish with three blocks, while Jameson added two.