HOT SPRINGS, Arkansas – The Ouachita Volleyball team wrapped up its season in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Great American Conference Championship Tournament with a 3-0 loss to No. 2 Oklahoma Baptist.
The Tigers opened the match with three straight kills. Ouachita and Oklahoma Baptist went back and forth over the next several points until OKBU tied the set at 8-8. From there, the Bison took the lead and kept it until the end, taking set one 25-18.
The next set saw the Bison take an early lead and run with it. The Tigers were able to put together a few late runs to close the gap, but OKBU held on to win set two 25-18 and put Ouachita at a 0-2 disadvantage going into set three.
The third set again saw Oklahoma take control early. Ouachita struggled to find a groove and the Bison took set three 25-12 and the Tigers dropped the match 3-0.
Riley Braziel and Kayle Steinmeyer tied for the team lead in kills with eight.
Emily Adams was next with seven. Steinmeyer tied with
Leah Gardner with two blocks each.
Courtney Hanson led the setters with 24 assists.
Avery Jauz led the Tiger defense with 13 digs.
The Tigers finish their season 17-15 overall and 9-7 in GAC play. The Tigers tied for fifth place in the Great American Conference this season. Ouachita defended the Sturgis Center well this season, going 11-3 at home.
Ouachita had some great moments throughout 2023. The Tigers beat Harding for the first time since 2019, sweeping them for the first time since 1988. The Tigers' five-game winning streak was the team's longest since 2019. Ouachita led the GAC in kills, assists, and hitting percentage for the regular season.
A couple of Tigers reached career milestones this season as
Kellen Church reached 100 career aces and
Courtney Hanson racked up over 2,000 assists for her career.
Tiger volleyball graduates four seniors:
Kellen Church,
EJ Day,
Kayla Steinmeyer, and
Zhara Thomas. All of whom have played large roles on this team and will be missed.
Thank you for your support of Tiger Volleyball and we hope to see you back again next season at the Sturgis Center! Stay up to date on all Tiger Athletics news at OBUtigers.com or our official social media channels.
