Winning Weekend for Aggie Volleyball
 

Goodwell, Okla.—Two Sooner Athletic Conference wins over the weekend helped the Panhandle State volleyball team surpass their previous conference best, bringing them to 6-11 in the SAC standings. The Aggies bested Langston University on Friday with a three-set victory (25-21, 25-13, 25-21), and took another straight-set win over Central Christian on Saturday (25-23, 25-9, 25-11).

Junior Kendra Butler totaled 25.5 points over the two-game stretch, taking a game-high of 13 kills against CCC and contributing nine kills versus Langston. Butler added 3.5 points on blocks between the two matches. Sophomore Quiara Pointdexter held the game-high in kills against Langston with 11 and matched her efforts with 11 kills against Central Christian. Libero McKenna Clement tallied a combined 33 digs, including a game-high effort of 23 on Saturday; she performed well behind the line as well serving two aces in each match. Setter Cailyn Berry notched game-highs in both outings with 31 and 36 assists respectively.

Five seniors were recognized prior to Saturday’s matchup, with Summer Middleton, Madison Linton, Lauren Hastings, Melody Ethley and Courtney Adams each joined by family and friends to commemorate their college careers at Panhandle State. Head Coach Signe Coombs commented, “The five seniors each provide something special to this team and certainly led by example this weekend. They played some of their best volleyball by executing mentally and physically. It was a great weekend to celebrate and recognize our five seniors that have given a lot to this program.”

Coombs continued on the grit and tenacity shown by all players stating, “This weekend was a complete team effort. Our coaching staff has been challenging our players to improve in their mental toughness and energy throughout a match.” She added, “We started off slow in set one in both matches, but showed improvement in our mental toughness. Our team’s energy propelled us to close out each set and continued that momentum throughout the match.”

With the wins, Panhandle State sits 8-18 on the season with six wins within the conference. Last year Aggie volleyball notched five conference victories and broke out a record number of eight regular-season wins, spanning a 15-year marked history. With three games left on the season, Panhandle seeks to set the bar even higher by, not only marking the most wins in recorded history, but by achieving a post-season position in the conference tournament.

The Aggies host their final home game of the season this week against Wayland Baptist on Tuesday, Oct. 30. The evening will also offer the annual Halloween Spiketacular with a costume contest, free popcorn and trick-or-treating after the match. The game begins at 6 p.m., but those wishing to partake in the costume contest are encouraged to arrive early to register; cash prizes will be awarded to the crowd favorites in five categories.