ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Sharks Volleyball team was defeated for the first time in the 2024 season, falling against the 18th ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Records: Nova Southeastern 6-1 | No. 18 Central Oklahoma 8-0
Score: Nova Southeastern 0, No. 18 Central Oklahoma 3
Location: Flagler Gymnasium | St. Augustine, Fla.
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- The Sharks were able to take an early lead in the match, as Brittany Landrum, Taylor Stockman and Olivia Aniol each recorded kills.
- Elizabeth Price gave NSU a 10-7 advantage, but UCO responded with a 6-1 rally to flip the first set, putting the score at 13-11 in favor of the Bronchos.
- Kate Mihacevich led a 5-1 run for the Sharks, reclaiming the lead for NSU at 17-15.
- Trailing 23-21 in the opening set, Nova Southeastern took advantage of a pair of Bronchos errors and took a 24-23 lead.
- UCO scored four of the final five points in the frame, taking the set 27-25 over NSU.
- The Sharks faced an 11-5 deficit during the second set, before taking advantage of a pair of UCO errors, in addition to kills from Mihacevich and an ace from Gabrielle Spankus to put the score at 12-10.
- Landrum made an impact on offense and defense for NSU, tallying a kill and a block, which helped the Sharks tie the second set at 13-13.
- Nova Southeastern battled all the way back, taking a 21-19 lead, but the Bronchos scored the final six points in the set and took a 2-0 lead in the match.
- UCO took an 11-6 lead in the third set, but the Sharks cut into the deficit with kills from Mihacevich, Stockman and Price to put the score at 13-11.
- A 4-0 run by NSU, once again led by the trio of Mihacevich, Stockman, and Price, tied the frame at 17-17
- UCO took the final frame 25-21, as the Sharks were defeated for the first time on the season.
Head Coach Kacie Ehinger – This was a good match to prepare us for Sunshine State Conference play. I felt we played well enough for any of the sets to turn our way; we just have to be a little better in pressure situations. Central Oklahoma is a well coached, disciplined team and the match reflected two high-level teams battling.
The Sharks return to action on Friday, September 20th, traveling to Tennessee and will compete in the Lee Invitational. NSU will match up against Quincy and the host institution, Lee, beginning at 2 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Volleyball, be sure to follow on Instagram at NSU_VBall and X at NSU_VB.
