OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma – For the first time in program history, the Wiley College volleyball team won a set in a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Women's Volleyball National Championship match, but the Lady Wildcats' season came to an end with a four-set loss (20-25, 11-25, 25-22, 13-25) against Oklahoma City University in the NAIA Opening Round Saturday at Abe Lemons Arena.This is the second time in program history that the Lady Wildcats have reached the NAIA Opening Round. The 20 wins is the most for Wiley College since 2013. Wiley College had its highest winning percentage (.833) in program history.
"It's good for these women to see where we are at," head coach Mike MacNeill said. "It's good for them to see this level and play a team that has been to the tournament multiple times. It doesn't hurt any less knowing we didn't execute tonight."
FULL STATS
The Lady Wildcats (20-4) had its highest hit percentage in the third set at .194. They trailed early but gain the lead with an 8-3 run. Khrystyna Frank (FR/Kiev, Ukraine) gave the Lady Wildcats the lead with a kill. The lead changed hands several times but Wiley College took control for good on a kill by Olena Fedorenko (JR/Sevastopol, Ukraine). An attack error and a service ace by Larissa Francisco (JR/Sao Paulo, Brazil) extended Wiley College's advantage to 21-18. Frank recorded three kills to clinch the set and extend the match.
Wiley College which entered the match hitting .250 – was held to a .068 hitting percentage. It recorded negative hitting percentages in the second ((-) .059) and fourth set ((-).029). Frank led all attackers with 19 kills – which is a career-high. With 11 digs, she recorded a double-double.
"We just got outplayed," MacNeill said. "We played uncharacteristic as a team. Credit to Oklahoma City. They came out in a big match and know how to perform. Credit to Coach Santiago and his ladies. I wish them the best of luck in the next round."
Alexia Souza (JR/Taubate, Sao Paulo, Brazil) assisted on 33 of 41 kills for an average of 8.25 per set. She also led the Lady Wildcats block contributing to four. Alia Scott (FR/Houston, Texas) led the team with 13 digs. Francisco and Fedorenko each recorded service aces.
The match was the last for outside hitter Tsvetelina Bozhanova (SR/Razlog, Bulgaria), who will graduate. In her three seasons with the Lady Wildcats, she recorded 387 kills, 410 digs and 42 aces. All those marks rank in the top 20 in Lady Wildcat history.
The rest of the team is eligible to return to help the Lady Wildcats repeat as Red River Athletic Conference champions and make a deeper postseason run in 2019.
WILEY COLLEGE WILDCATS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
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