Storm Fall in Five Sets in Conference Opener

ALVA, Okla. – D'Nari Mills turned in a career-high 27 kills, but it was not enough to lift Southeastern as the Savage Storm fell in its Great American Conference opener at Northwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday night in Alva, Okla.
 
The loss drops the Savage Storm to 3-6 on the season overall and 0-1 in GAC play heading into a pair of non-conference matchups over the weekend versus Drury on Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. followed by Southwest Baptist at 4 p.m. on Sept. 16, both in Bloomer Sullivan Gymnasium.
 
"Great first conference match," said head coach Nicole Solum-Mitchell. "Wish we would have come out with the W, but we made crucial errors at the end.  I think we fought hard and showed what we are capable of. Faith Kruebbe came in and took control defensively and on serve receive. I'm very proud of them and the fight that we showed."
 
Mills hit .314 from the outside on her way to her career-best mark of 27 kills and proceeded to add 11 digs and post a team-best six blocks.
 
Noelia Rocha also reached double-figures offensively with 13 kills, while Ruthie Forson added seven.
 
Forson handed out 41 assists as well and completed the double-double with 10 digs.
 
On the defensive side, Amaya Constantino led the back row with 14 digs, while Mills posted six blocks, with Sandra Acheampong chipping in four, while Faith Kruebbe and Michera Moffett each posted three blocks.
 
The Storm fell behind after a 25-19 loss in the opening set, but evened the score at 1-1 after pulling away down the stretch in set two for a 25-20 win.
 
The Rangers would regain the lead with a 25-20 win in set three, but again SE would answer, holding on for a 25023 win in set four.
 
Southeaster took an early lead in the fifth set, but it was a late push by NWOSU that would push the Rangers to a 15-13 win in the deciding set.