JOPLIN, Mo. – Northeastern State volleyball closed out its opening weekend of competition Saturday evening with a 3-0 loss to Northwestern Oklahoma at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
The RiverHawks fell 25-13, 25-23 and 25-17 in the final match of the weekend.
Northeastern State (0-4) put together its strongest stretch in the second set, battling through 14 ties and eight lead changes. The RiverHawks held a 23-21 advantage late in the set after a kill from
Ceylin Sar, but Northwestern Oklahoma scored the final four points to take a 25-23 victory and a 2-0 match lead.
Ashlyn Tag led the RiverHawks with 12 kills and hit .156 for the match.
Poliana Lazarini added four kills, while
Lanie Brown and
Devine Okon each finished with three.
Sydney Dunkleberger directed the NSU offense with 15 assists and added 11 digs.
Tiyana Bhatte contributed seven assists, while Lazarini and
Cailey Grinstead each recorded six digs.
Northeastern State opened the third set with a strong start, taking a 4-0 lead. Northwestern Oklahoma answered with a 12-2 run to take control and eventually pulled away to close out the match.
The RiverHawks finished with 28 kills, 43 digs, four service aces and six total blocks. Brown led NSU at the net with six total blocks.
Northwestern Oklahoma (1-3) was led by Ivanny Blackwood, who recorded 16 kills. Tess de Zanet added nine kills, while the Rangers finished with 37 kills and hit .218 as a team.
The match marked the conclusion of Northeastern State's opening weekend as the RiverHawks begin their inaugural NCAA volleyball season.
Northeastern State returns to action Friday, Sept. 4, when the RiverHawks travel to Lawton, Oklahoma, for four matches.
