FREMONT, Neb. – Oklahoma Wesleyan opened strong and pushed Missouri Baptist throughout the afternoon before ultimately falling in four sets (25-19, 23-25, 24-26, 16-25) Friday at the Midland Showdown. The Lady Eagles moved to 2-8 on the season after a competitive battle with the Spartans.

OKWU came out firing in the opening set, building an early 11-4 advantage before maintaining control throughout the frame. The Lady Eagles hit .243 in the first set and closed it out with kills from Anja Grkinic and Andy Santa Cruz to claim a 25-19 victory.
The second set featured several momentum swings, with Oklahoma Wesleyan erasing a six-point deficit to tie the score at 20-20. Despite the comeback effort, Missouri Baptist scored the final two points to even the match with a 25-23 win.

The third set proved to be the turning point of the afternoon. Neither team led by more than three points as the Lady Eagles battled point-for-point with the Spartans. OKWU held a 24-23 advantage and was one point away from taking a 2-1 match lead, but Missouri Baptist answered with three consecutive points to escape with a 26-24 victory.

Missouri Baptist carried that momentum into the fourth set, opening an 11-4 lead. Oklahoma Wesleyan trimmed the deficit with a late rally behind consecutive service aces from Maia Rubio, but the Spartans closed out the match with a 25-16 final set win.

Maia Rubio led the Lady Eagles offensively with 12 kills, while adding 13 digs and four service aces for an impressive all-around performance. Anja Grkinic finished with nine kills, a .375 hitting percentage, two service aces, and three total blocks. Andy Santa Cruz added seven kills and 10 digs, while setter Ana Vitoria Vian directed the offense with 20 assists, one ace, and six digs. Defensively, libero Malu Caycedo paced the back row with 20 digs.

As a team, Oklahoma Wesleyan totaled 42 kills, 41 assists, 60 digs, 10 total blocks, and eight service aces while hitting .124 for the match.

The Lady Eagles conclude play at the Midland Showdown later Friday as they face tournament host Midland University.

 

FREMONT, Neb. – Oklahoma Wesleyan wrapped up play at the Midland Showdown on Friday evening, falling to host Midland University in straight sets (22-25, 13-25, 14-25) at the Wikert Event Center. The Lady Eagles move to 2-9 on the season following the tournament finale.

Oklahoma Wesleyan came out with energy in the opening set, racing to an early 11-8 advantage behind the attacking duo of Andy Santa Cruz and Maia Rubio. The Lady Eagles maintained their composure despite a Midland rally and battled back from a six-point deficit late in the set, pulling within 23-22 before the Warriors closed out a 25-22 victory.

Midland seized control in the second set with a seven-point scoring run midway through the frame. Oklahoma Wesleyan continued to compete, receiving key kills from Rubio and Santa Cruz, but the Warriors' consistent offense and serving pressure proved too much as Midland claimed the set 25-13.

The Lady Eagles again battled early in the third set, matching Midland point-for-point through an 11-11 tie. However, the Warriors closed the match on a decisive 14-3 run to complete the three-set sweep.

Maia Rubio shared the team lead with seven kills while adding five digs, and Andy Santa Cruz also recorded seven kills to pace the Oklahoma Wesleyan attack. Jaylea Laughlin distributed 13 assists, while libero Malu Caycedo anchored the back row with a team-high 14 digs and added a service ace. Anja Grkinic contributed four kills, a service ace, and a block in the effort.

As a team, Oklahoma Wesleyan finished with 22 kills, 23 assists, 45 digs, and two service aces. Midland hit .190 as a team while totaling 37 kills to secure the victory.

The Lady Eagles conclude the Midland Showdown after facing three strong opponents over the two-day tournament and will look to build on the experience as they prepare for the next stretch of non-conference play.