OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: The Texas Wesleyan University volleyball program (24-11) played their final match of the 2015 season with a 3-0 (10-25, 22-25, 15-25) loss to second seeded Oklahoma City University (21-7) in the Semi-final match of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament on Wednesday.
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The Stars got out to a 9-2 start before a
Shelby Stinnett kill broke up the run. The Lady Rams just could not get anything started, as Keirsten Mebane gave Wesleyan 10 with a kill, but that was all that the Stars stout defense would allow, taking the opening set 25-10.
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Starnisha Bodie gave the Rams their first lead of the night on a kill for a 2-1 edge. The two teams fought for an advantage and an
Alanna Hayhurst ace tied the set at 6-6 before Oklahoma City busted out a 5-0 run to take an 11-6 lead. Wesleyan fought to stay within striking distance, and a Stinnet kill cut the lead to 15-13. The Stars held the Rams at bay despite Texas Wesleyan pounding on the door. Zippy and Hayhurst teamed up for a 3-0 run to cut the lead to 22-20 late, but OCU kept swinging and was able to pull out a 25-22 win.
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The Stars posted a 6-2 advantage to start and the Lady Rams once again were found playing catch up. Zippy cut the lead to 9-7 on a smash kill, but OCU responded with a 5-0 rally to take a commanding 14-7 advantage. That fueled the home fans and allowed the Stars to coast to a 25-15, 3-0 match win, eliminating the Lady Rams from postseason play.
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The Lady Rams were led by Zipoy although the entire offense was subdued. She tacked nine kills and seven digs in the match.
Kristina Gafford posted 19 assists and nine kills, while
Shaughnessy Hearn led Wesleyan with 12 kills.Â
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The Lady Rams graduate five seniors who played an integral part in maintaining the success the team achieved this season. They will be hard to replace and they will be missed dearly. Â
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