BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (MacBulldogs.com) – It was a hard fought battle that was nothing short of a thriller, but the Bulldogs fell to the Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles in five sets in the KCAC championship game on Saturday (Nov. 16).
Despite incredible efforts in the first pair of sets, Oklahoma Wesleyan was able to secure a 2-0 match lead.
Set one saw the Bulldogs claw back from down 21-17 with a 4-0 run and tie things up. The two teams then went back and forth before the Eagles were finally able to secure a 29-27 victory. The Bulldogs and Eagles continued with the trading of momentum in set two as neither team created separation until the end when Oklahoma Wesleyan took the win, 26-24.
Now with their backs firmly against the wall against the top seed in the KCAC tournament, the Bulldogs could afford zero errors to mount the comeback.
Down 7-5, the Bulldogs scored eight straight rally points to take a 13-7 lead. The Eagles attempted to recollect the momentum to no avail as MC took the set, 25-21 and extended the game. The job was far from done for the Bulldogs. If they wanted a shot at winning the title, they needed another set. It started well for the Bulldogs as they were able to jump out to a 6-2 lead, but would quickly be reminded who they were playing as Oklahoma Wesleyan stormed back to tie it up.
The teams, much like they did for the entire match, went back and forth before the Bulldogs scored six straight rally points to take the set, 25-22.
It was now down to a fifth and final set to crown a champion. Oklahoma Wesleyan started hot, taking a quick 5-1 lead to force a MC timeout. The Bulldogs were far from out of it, storming back and taking a 8-6 lead. The two sides traded punches one last time before the Eagles landed the knockout shot to secure the championship.
Brooke McHale led the Bulldogs attack with 19 kills. Raegan Murphy was once again sensational as the primary setter, securing 35 assists.
The Bulldogs finish the year at 28-6 and an overall 14-2 in KCAC play and now will be waiting with faded breath to see who they will face in the NAIA National tournament as they will be taking over The Boiler House on campus of McPherson College for the 2024 NAIA Volleyball tournament selection show on Monday, November 18 at 12 p.m.