OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Hoping to keep its season alive and a chance to play for a berth into the NAIA National Championships, the John Brown University volleyball team fell short in a defensive struggle, falling in straight sets at final site host Oklahoma City in the Sooner Athletic tournament semifinals on Friday night (Nov. 10) inside Abe Lemons Arena.
Host Oklahoma City (22-6) hit just .136 (37-22-110) while the Golden Eagles (26-7) hit an even .000 (23-23-114) as 23 hitting errors and 13 City blocks kept the JBU offense from taking a set. After besting the Stars at Bill George Arena in the regular season, John Brown fell in consecutive matches, both sweeps, at Abe Lemons Arena.
In the 14, 21, 20 setback, a trio of Golden Eagles led the attack with five kills each in sophomore Jessica Meyer, junior Bayli Reagan and sophomore Lindsey Davis. Sophomore Carly McKinney was limited to three kills on 23 attacks.
JBU battled through seven costly ball handling errors.
Seniors Alyssa Arnold and Beth Brankle made their last collegiate appearance, with Arnold passing out 16 assists on 23 JBU kills while Brankle held the Golden Eagle back line with a team-best 11 scoops.
City's Marijana Bjelobrk was the match's only double-digit attacker with 11 kills (.346) while Stefani Nell added nine terminations and 18 digs.
The Golden Eagles close the season with its highest win total in over a decade.
