Glendale, Ariz. – OUAZ Women's Volleyball continued its perfect run through Great Southwest Athletic Conference play on Saturday afternoon, defeating Arizona Christian 3-1 inside the Firestorm Recreation Center. After dropping the opening set, the Spirit responded by winning the final three frames to improve to 10-4 overall and 6-0 in GSAC play.
OUAZ put together one of its most efficient offensive performances of the conference season, recording 62 kills, 54 assists, 74 digs, and a .251 hitting percentage while holding the Firestorm to a .138 clip. The Spirit also finished with advantages in kills (62-41), assists (54-38), digs (74-72), and service aces (6-5).
Set 1:Â
Arizona Christian used a strong early run to take control of the opening set and force the Spirit into comeback mode.
OUAZ received early offense from Keira Adrian and Elisa Saunders, while Rylie Henige provided a spark off the bench with several late kills. Adrian also added a service ace during a late rally, but the Firestorm held on to take the first set.
Set 2:Â
The Spirit regrouped and found their rhythm offensively in the second set.
Saunders, Henige, Delaney Wilson, Gloria Moye, and McKenna Diederich all contributed key kills as OUAZ slowly began to wear down the Firestorm defense. A service ace by Hannah Allman highlighted a pivotal run, while blocks from Henige and Moye helped contain Arizona Christian's attack.
Wilson came alive late in the set, and the Spirit closed strong to level the match at one set apiece.
Set 3:Â
The third set proved to be the turning point of the afternoon.
Saunders caught fire, helping the Spirit build an early advantage with several kills. Adrian added critical points from the outside while Moye and Henige controlled the net defensively.
Arizona Christian narrowed the gap late, but OUAZ answered with a decisive run spearheaded by Norma Ramirez-Barba, who delivered back-to-back service aces. The Spirit secured the set and moved one frame away from victory.
Set 4:
With momentum firmly in their favor, OUAZ turned in its best offensive set of the match.
Wilson and Adrian powered the attack early, while Saunders continued her dominant afternoon. The Spirit hit nearly .300 in the final frame and never allowed Arizona Christian to mount a sustained comeback.
Late kills from Saunders, Wilson, Henige, and Adrian helped close out the Firestorm and complete the four-set comeback victory.
By the Numbers
- Elisa Saunders led all players with 19 kills while hitting an outstanding .500. She also added four digs and a block.
- Delaney Wilson recorded 14 kills and hit .312, including several key points during the final three sets.
- Keira Adrian posted 10 kills, 12 digs, and two service aces for a double-double.
- Rylie Henige contributed eight kills and three blocks.
- Gloria Moye added six kills, hit .385, and recorded three blocks.
- McKenna Diederich finished with five kills and a block.
- Norma Ramirez-Barba directed the offense with 23 assists, three service aces, and 12 digs.
- Isabella Foutz added 20 assists and nine digs.
- Hannah Allman chipped in 12 digs and a service ace.
- Myra Memon anchored the back row with a team-high 14 digs.
Up Next
OUAZ (10-4, 6-0 GSAC) returns to action on Friday, Oct. 2, when the Spirit travel to California for a conference showdown against No. 20 The Master's. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. as OUAZ looks to remain undefeated in GSAC competition.
