Box Score SALINA, Kan. — The Ottawa University women's volleyball team fell to Oklahoma City University, 3-1, on Saturday at Mabee Arena. The Stars took the match 25-17, 25-11, 18-25, 25-15.

Oklahoma City grabbed control of the opening set after a competitive start. The teams were tied eight times in the first set before OCU used a late run to pull away for the 25-17 victory. Ottawa finished the set with 12 kills but was held to a .128 attacking percentage.

The Stars carried that momentum into the second set. OCU opened with a 5-0 advantage and eventually extended its lead to 15-6. The Braves were unable to put together a run as Oklahoma City hit .448 with 15 kills and only two attacking errors, taking the set 25-11.

Ottawa responded in the third. The Braves trailed 13-12 before a service ace from Madison Brauner tied the set. OU moved in front 16-13 and later used a four-point run to turn an 18-17 advantage into a 22-17 lead. Bailee Nickel closed out the set with back-to-back kills, giving Ottawa the 25-18 victory. The Braves hit a match-best .242 in the third while holding Oklahoma City to .029.

The Stars answered in the fourth. After Ottawa pulled within 8-6, OCU began to create separation and took a 15-8 advantage. Oklahoma City eventually extended its lead to 20-10 and closed out the match with a 25-15 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Bailee Nickel led the Braves with 17 kills, hitting .268 on 41 attacks. She also finished with seven digs and two service aces.
• Kira Cherry totaled seven kills, while Haven Jones also finished with seven kills.
• Madison Brauner led Ottawa with 19 assists, while Makela Martinez added 14 assists.
• Carson Schuman anchored the OU defense with a match-high 18 digs.
• Nickel added seven digs, while Brauner had nine.
• Ottawa finished with 41 kills, 39 assists, 53 digs, two service aces and three team blocks.
• The Braves hit .141 for the match, including a match-best .242 in the third set.
• Oklahoma City finished with 53 kills and a .261 attacking percentage. The Stars had 66 digs, six service aces and four team blocks.
• Ottawa held OCU to just 10 kills and a .029 hitting percentage in the third set, helping the Braves force a fourth set.

Who is Next
The Braves (1-1) will now play Stephens College at 11:00 a.m. in their final match of the KWU Classic.