Aggies extinguish Firestorm
GOODWELL, Okla. - The Oklahoma Panhandle State Volleyball team provided an exciting victory for its boisterous fans – as well as the first at OPSU for Head Coach Julie Allen – in a 3-1 decision over Arizona Christian University. The Aggies (1-1) topped the Firestorm (0-1) by set scores of 25-21, 25-15, 2426, 25-23 at the Noble Center.
We had great highlights from Ana (Pimenta) to Kennede (Jones) to Ashley (Sanchez) doing a wonderful job. Not only did we outdig their team, but we had a lot of kills coming out from proprietary players. Our assists were phenomenal, as well as our blocks. It was a really good night.”
The Aggies were in complete control the first two sets of the evening, forcing ACU to play catch-up in each, with OPSU leading wire-to-wire in the second. In set three, it was OPSU clawing back before eventually falling in the set that featured eight ties and four lead changes. The finale fourth set was a tight battle, seven ties and four lead changes, with Panhandle holding on to complete the match win.
No individual was bigger – in terms of physical presence or statistics – than freshman right-side hitter Pimenta. A 6-foot-2 native of Brazil, Pimenta registered her second doubledouble in as many outings. Against the Firestorm, Pimenta knocked down a match-leading 16 kills and had a .200 attack percentage in 45 attempts. She also booked 11 digs and made six blocks.
OPSU teammate Andria Santoyo also posted double-digit kill totals, with 14 for the match on 43 tries. Santoyo also contributed six digs and four blocks.
Jones and Essence West chipped in nine and seven kills, respectively. West also had 19 digs and two blocks. Jayden Gormley had a match-high 11 total blocks (9 assist).
Junior libero Ashley Sanchez led all backrow players with 27 digs, while also adding six assists. OPSU setters Lesly Galarza and Celenia Toribio were credited with 21 and 14 assists, respectively. Galarza managed 14 digs, as well, and Toribio five total blocks.
As a team, the Aggies out-hit the Firestorm by a .132 to .057 attack average. OPSU more than doubled up on ACU in team blocks, 2110.
The two teams meet again on October 8, this time in Phoenix, Ariz.