ENID, Oklahoma – The Ouachita volleyball team has punched its ticket to the semifinals of the 2026 Great American Conference Championship Tournament following a four-set win over Southeastern Oklahoma State on Wednesday.
The Tigers will face Harding on Thursday at 2 p.m. The Bisons defeated Southern Nazarene 3-0 in the second quarterfinal match on Wednesday.
Final set scores of Wednesday's win were 20-25, 25-23, 25-22, and 26-24. Just like multiple other matches this season, the Tigers fell behind early but rallied back to earn the victory.
After dropping the opening set, Ouachita responded in the second by improving its hitting percentage by more than 100 points to even the match.
Ouachita carried that momentum into the third set, hitting .222 while limiting Southeastern to a .109 hitting percentage to go up 2-1 in the match
The fourth set provided a tight finish. Ouachita held off the Savage Storm 26-24 to complete the comeback and advance with the four-set victory.
Ouachita finished with 56 kills and a .162 hitting percentage. The Tigers also controlled the net with 13 total blocks compared to nine for Southeastern.
Ouachita's offense was led by
Kailey Thedford,
Leah Gardner, and
Ella Irons, all registering 13 kills in the win.
Sophie Henry added a strong performance at the net with seven total blocks.
Mack Bidwell directed the offense with a career-high 50 assists, while also chipping in with 10 digs for her 10th double-double of the season.
Thedford anchored the back row with a career-high 25 digs.
Kylie Kisgen added 23 digs, and
Ann Marie Tice finished with 15.
Delaney Gonzalez also reached double digits in digs with 13.
Wednesday's win marked career victory No. 150 for Ouachita Head Coach
Allison Frizzell-Kizer, who is in her ninth season coaching at her alma mater.
