BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — Oklahoma Wesleyan University Women's Volleyball went the distance with Bethel College (Kan.) Saturday inside the Mueller Sports Center, but the Lady Eagles came up just short in a five-set conference battle. After claiming the opening two sets, OKWU saw Bethel rally to take the final three frames and escape with a 3-2 victory (22-25, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-12).
The Lady Eagles came out firing offensively in the opening set, establishing their attack early and putting pressure on the Bethel defense. OKWU registered 17 kills on a .382 hitting percentage in the first frame, its most efficient offensive set of the match. The Eagles used that production to take the opener, 25-22, and seize early momentum.
OKWU carried its strong play into the second set. The Lady Eagles held Bethel to a .000 hitting percentage while continuing to find openings in the Threshers' block and back-row defense. Oklahoma Wesleyan put away 14 kills in the frame and controlled the set, 25-19, to take a commanding 2-0 match advantage.
With their backs against the wall, the Threshers responded in the third. The two sides traded swings throughout a tightly contested frame, but Bethel managed to edge OKWU, 25-23, to extend the match. The Lady Eagles still produced 16 kills in the set and hit .244, but Bethel countered with 17 kills at a .310 clip.
The fourth set developed into another back-and-forth battle. Both teams were forced to grind through extended rallies as the defenses settled in, with OKWU recording 14 kills and Bethel countering with 14 of its own. The Threshers eventually created enough separation down the stretch to take the frame, 25-22, and force a decisive fifth set.
In the race to 15, little separated the two sides. OKWU continued battling at the net and in serve receive, but Bethel found its offensive rhythm at the right time, hitting .368 in the final frame. The Threshers secured the deciding set, 15-12, completing the comeback.
Despite the result, Maia Rubio delivered a standout all-around performance for Oklahoma Wesleyan. Rubio powered the Eagles' attack with a match-high 22 kills, while adding 13 digs, three blocks and two service aces. Maria Andrea Santa Cruz Cossich provided another major weapon on the pin, finishing with 20 kills, while Emma Stubbs added 11 kills.
Setter Jaylea Laughlin directed the OKWU offense throughout the five-set match, dishing out an impressive 56 assists. Defensively, Maria Luisa Caycedo anchored the back row with a team-high 23 digs, while Anneliese Schonauer and Rubio each collected 13. At the net, Iva Mrkaic led the blocking effort with five total blocks, with Rubio and Anja Grkinic contributing three apiece.
The Lady Eagles finished with the statistical advantage in several categories, totaling 67 kills to Bethel's 62, 60 assists to 59 and 86 digs to 78. OKWU also posted a .217 team hitting percentage, compared to .191 for the Threshers, while both teams finished with 10 total blocks.
Although the five-set decision did not fall in Oklahoma Wesleyan's favor, the Lady Eagles displayed offensive balance, defensive effort and resilience throughout a match that required all five sets to decide. OKWU moves to 7-11 overall and 1-1 in conference play as the Eagles continue their 2026 campaign.
