Volleyball Avenges Earlier Loss

September 9, 2007

DENTON, Texas – Southwestern Oklahoma State University gained a measure of revenge against a team that had beaten them earlier this season with a 3-1 win against Arkansas-Monticello. SWOSU bested the Cotton Blossoms by scores of 30-27, 16-30, 30-26, 33-31 in the first of four matches played at the Texas Woman’s University Invitational.

SWOSU lost the remaining three contests to Ouachita Baptist, Arkansas Tech and Dallas Baptist by identical 3-1 scores. The Bulldogs are now 6-8 on the year and await their first meeting with Oklahoma Panhandle State University at home Wednesday at 7 p.m. SWOSU has beaten OPSU all six previous times the teams have met.

Against UAM, SWOSU used the combination of Kasandra Gurtner and Staci West to lead the team’s offensive attack. Gurtner had 16 kills while West added 13. The two combined for 29 of the team’s 57 total kills.

Gurtner put SWOSU ahead 32-31 in the fourth and deciding game with her 16th kill of the match. She then teamed with Amber Coles to block an attack attempt that resulted in the final point and a 33-31 Bulldog win.

Defensively, Janna Green had the first of what would be four consecutive games with 20 or more digs, stopping 25 attacks. She would later better that mark in the final match against Dallas Baptist when she was credited with a school best 30 digs. Green was recognized for her effort and was named by the coaches to the all-tournament team as a defensive specialist.