The Celts Volleyball program traveled over 700 miles to Oklahoma Panhandle State University for the Aggie Challenge Friday and Saturday going 2-2 on the weekend.
RECAP
FRIDAY
The Celts started the weekend matched up against the Drovers of the University of Science and Arts Oklahoma. Quickly setting pace for the match, winning the first set 25-13, the Celts made easy work of the Drovers. Finishing the second and third sets 25-10 and 25-11 gave the Drovers their first loss of the season. The Celts out matched the Drovers 7-3 in blocks and 34-18 in Kills hitting a team efficiency of .288. The Celts also posted 4 Aces with a perfect Reception record.
The second match of the day was against the fourth ranked Northwestern Oklahoma State University out of the Great American Conference NCAA DII pre season poll. The Celts went toe to toe with the Rangers but suffered defeat (0-3). The Celts rallied in the first set coming back from a strong Ranger lead to tie the match at 13-13 going on to take a 19-17 lead. But The Rangers swayed the momentum from the Celts to finish the set 23-25. In the second set the Celts fought to stay in the match coming back from a 10 point deficit to once again tie the match (15-15). But the Rangers powered back closing out the set holding the Celts at 18-25. The third set the Celts fought but just could not get things working in their favor dropping the match with a 17-25 final. The Celts out blocked the Rangers 5-3 but could not handle the attack getting out hit 32-51 in Kills.
SATURDAY
The Celts started Saturday's play early with a 9AM face off with another NCAA DII, Fort Hays State University, and this time from the Mid America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The Fort Hays Tigers jumped ahead but the Celts fought to close the lead to 1 three times in the set, but that wasn't enough to overtake the Tigers dropping the first set 22-25. The Celts came out the second set leading with the block 7-1. The only had 7 Kills in the set but won the game with defense, 7 total blocks and 18 digs, with the final 25-21. The Tigers regrouped and came back with fire power, taking up 18 kills to the Celts 13 to win the third set 25-20. Again in the fourth the Tigers outpaced the Celts 12-7 in Kills and added in a few blocks to close out the match 25-16. The Celts pushed sets on the Tigers with a strong defensive showing having 10 total blocks to the Tigers 6 and closing following in digs.
The final game of the weekend was against tournament host the Oklahoma Panhandle state Aggies. The Celts showed out in front of the Aggie home crowd, taking the match in a quick three sets finishing the match in just over an hours' time. The first set (25-14) the Celts almost doubled the kills from the Aggies 12-7, while the Aggies had 11 unforced errors. The second set was again a Celt shutout, 15 kills to the Aggies 6, posting two 6 point runs to finish at 25-16. For the third and final set the Aggies showed some fight posting 14 kills but that wasn't enough to out match the Celts with 17 kills on the set. Closing the weekend with a 25-17 set victory.
CELT STANDOUTS
The Celts attack was led by senior Bresha Orange hitting a .308 for the weekend with 51 kills. The Celts pair of setters chased the Assist Leader tittle with Hannah Westerlage earning 68 and Kelsie Walker with 60. Kayden Thomas stepped up for the Celts, owning the Block with 11 total. Libero Lauren Fernandez-Miller led the back court defense for Saturday's sets with 44 total Digs averaging 6.3 Digs per set. Friday with Lauren missing the action, sophomore Chelsea Guerrero stepped into the Libero jersey leading the team with 19 Digs on the day.
UP NEXT
The Celts are set to host their annual Labor Day weekend tournament this Saturday and Sunday. The Celts take the court 3PM and 7PM both days. Check out the Tournament schedule page for more details.
