Savage Storm Tripped Up on the Road at SNU

BETHANY, Okla. – Southeastern traveled to Bethany, Okla., on Thursday night and was tripped up by Southern Nazarene 3-0 in the Sawyer Center.
 
The Savage Storm attack was led by a trio of players, with Gabby Jones pacing the way with nine, while Alexis Williams and Noelia Rocha each had eight. Helping set the attack, Jasmin Dion tallied 20 assists, and Riley McFarland had 10 and nine digs. Kylee Turner led the defensive efforts with 13 digs, and Merrick Hammel and Jones would also have nine.
 
SE (6-9, 1-4 GAC) will take a break from GAC action next time out, when they welcome Oklahoma Christian on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. in the Bloomer Sullivan Gym.
 
SET ONE
A slow start for the Savage Storm allowed Southern Nazarene to build an early lead, going ahead 12-3. A quick 3-0 burst from the blue and gold, featuring kills from Jaedyn Newman and Rocha, trimmed the gap to six, but the Crimson Storm soon picked up the pace again, stretching its edge to 20-10. SNU remained in control for the final eight points of the set to win 25-13.
 
SET TWO
Southeastern trailed by one early after a kill from Jones and Williams, and later another quick four points kept the blue and gold on the heels of the Crimson Storm, 12-10. However, a surge of scores from SNU saw the hosts grow their lead to 18-11, forcing an SE timeout. Out of the break, Southern Nazarene added to its advantage, but a kill from Faith Kruebbe and two more from Jones closed the gap to five, 21-16.
 
The Savage Storm continued to add pressure through Jones and Williams, who slammed down two more kills before another by Newman to stay within striking distance, 23-19. Southeastern's late rally would fall short, as SNU secured a 25-20 set victory, scoring two of the final three points.
 
SET THREE
The two sides traded points through the opening exchanges, tied at 5-all, but a quick burst of points for SNU pushed them ahead 13-9. Southeastern replied with three straight points and later rattled off three more, including a kill and block by Williams to grab its third lead of the set, up 18-16. SNU would jump back on top before Williams tied the frame 19-19, but Southern Nazarene caught fire late, closing out the set on a 6-1 run to claim a 25-20 win.