Oct. 10, 2009

Final Stats

CANYON, Texas - The #6-ranked West Texas A&M Lady Buffs earned their 50^th-consecutive Lone Star Conference victory today as they swept Central Oklahoma with scores of 25-19, 25-10, and 25-13. The win lifts the Lady Buffs to 20-3 and 6-0 in the LSC while UCO falls to 11-11 and 3-3 in conference play.

"We are seeing a trend now where we play at a different intensity based on the level of intensity of the other team," said head coach Jason Skoch. "My goal is to play the same all the time, and I think the players are beginning to understand that."

The first set saw WT go up early and never lose the lead as they won 25-19. Laura Prinsen (Sr., RS, Spring, Texas) had back-to-back kills to gain the momentum and a Central Oklahoma error gave the first to WT.

In the second set, The Bronchos battled hard, gaining a one-point lead several times in the set; however, back-to-back kills by Natalie Johnson (Sr., OH, Cortez, Colo.) regained the WT lead. Katie Rickwartz (Sr., S, Canyon, Texas) assisted Melissa Harper (Sr. MB, Peoria, Ariz.) for the set point kill.

"UCO is good and they typically push WT," Skoch said. "It was good for us to win 3-0."

Harper led the Lady Buffs in kills with 12 in 16 attempts for a .688 hitting percentage. She also recorded two blocks. Johnson also tallied double-digit kills with 11 in 24 attempts for a .333 hitting percentage. She also contributed four digs and a block assist. Prinsen and Lancaster also pushed the offensive drive, recording eight kills each.

Defensively, Rickwartz led the team in digs with nine, followed by Lauren Thedford (Jr., OH/DS, Carrollton, Texas) and Lauren Beville (Fr., L, Hereford, Texas) with eight digs each. Lancaster and Lauren Purdy (Jr., MB, Arlington, Texas) were also strong at the net, putting up two assisted blocks.

"About the 50^th win, I've encouraged the girls to live in this season," Skoch said, "We have goals and one of them is to keep that going by remaining undefeated in the conference."

The Lady Buffs continue LSC action, traveling to Cameron, Okla., on Thursday, Oct. 15, to take on Cameron at 7:00 p.m. They will then travel to Wichita Falls, Texas, on Saturday, Oct. 17, to face Midwestern State at 2:00 p.m.