Ouachita Baptist University Athletics

ARKADELPHIA - The Ouachita Baptist University volleyball team earned a hard-fought four-set victory over Missouri S&T Friday morning, rallying for a 3-1 win in the Tiger-Reddie Challenge.
 
After taking the opening set 25-15, the Tigers dropped the second set 23-25 but responded with strong performances in the third and fourth frames to secure the victory, winning by scores of 25-19 and 25-20, respectively.
 
Ouachita established control early, using a balanced offensive attack and strong serving to take the opening set 25-15. Missouri S&T briefly answered in the second set, holding off the Tigers 25-23 to even the match at one set apiece.
 
The Tigers regained momentum in the third set. Ouachita overcame an early Missouri S&T advantage and turned a 13-12 deficit into a 15-14 lead before using a late surge to pull away. With the score tied at 18-18, the Tigers scored seven of the final eight points to claim the set 25-19.
 
Ouachita carried that momentum into the fourth set. The Tigers battled through a back-and-forth opening stretch before building a 15-11 advantage. Missouri S&T continued to pressure Ouachita, eventually tying the set at 18-18, but the Tigers responded by scoring seven of the next nine points to close out the match, 25-20.
 
Kailey Thedford led the Tigers offensively with 16 kills on 39 attacks, hitting .333 for the match. She also contributed 16 points and was a key part of Ouachita's late-set success.
 
Sophie Henry turned in an outstanding all-around performance, finishing with 11 kills on 22 attacks for a .364 hitting percentage. She also recorded three block assists and finished with 15.5 points.
 
Kyleigh Casey added seven kills and seven points, while Leah Gardner contributed five kills and seven points. Ella Irons posted eight kills, and Zoe Olson added two kills in limited action.
 
Setter Mack Bidwell directed the Tiger offense with 38 assists while adding six digs, three service aces and four points.
 
Defensively, Kylie Kisgen anchored the back row with 12 digs. Ouachita finished with 57 digs as a team and held Missouri S&T to a .133 hitting percentage.
 
The Tigers also produced eight service aces, with Gracey Campbell recording three and Bidwell adding two. Ouachita's blocking effort included six team blocks.
 
Ouachita returns to action in the Tiger-Reddie Challenge with a match later today (Friday, Sept. 4) at 5 p.m.
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