McPherson, Kan. – McPherson Volleyball faced off against the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles on Friday night for a semifinal battle. The Bulldogs had previously beaten the Eagles in four sets earlier this season on their way to an undefeated KCAC run.
The Basics
Location: Holman Fieldhouse
Score: MC 0, OWU 3
Records: MC 31-2, OWU 24-3
How it Happened
Katie Warden got McPherson on the board first in the opening set, scoring the Bulldogs’ first three points and matching the Eagles back-and-forth early. McPherson built an early lead, going on a 5-1 scoring run, but Oklahoma Wesleyan answered to take a 12-11 lead. Warden tied it at 12 for the Bulldogs, but the Eagles regained control and forced a McPherson timeout. The Bulldogs were unable to regain momentum, dropping the first set 25-17
Set two started tight, with both teams trading points through 7-7. A 7-3 run by Oklahoma Wesleyan forced another Bulldogs timeout, but McPherson struggled to respond, ultimately falling 25-15 and trailing 2-0 in the match.
In the third set, Oklahoma Wesleyan jumped out to a 5-1 lead, but McPherson quickly cut the deficit to one thanks to eagles’ hitting errors. Brooke McHale sparked a Bulldogs run with a pair of kills, giving McPherson a 10-8 lead and forcing an Eagles timeout. The two teams went back and forth down the final stretch, with McPherson closing it to 24-23 on another mistake by the Eagles. Maria Santa Cruz recorded a kill on the next point, securing the sweep for Oklahoma Wesleyan, taking the set 25-23.
Brooke McHale led the Bulldogs offensively with 10 kills, but McPherson struggled at the net, posting a team hitting percentage of .174 – its second-lowest mark of the season.
Up Next
The Bulldogs await today’s selection show to learn their NAIA Opening Round opponent.
