OKLAHOMA CITY – The Mid-America Christian University volleyball team headed across town on Thursday night in search of a victory at Oklahoma City University – historically one of the toughest places to win in the Sooner Athletic Conference. The Evangels were trying to snap a brief two match skid before stepping out of conference for a pair of matches on Friday. Unfortunately for MACU, the Evangels had trouble getting on track offensively, and OCU was able to defend their home court.

MACU (7-4, 3-4 SAC) recorded only 20 kills as a team in the match, and OCU (11-2, 7-1 SAC) notched nine blocks as the Stars won in straight sets 25-16, 25-12, and 25-11.

MACU scored five of the first seven points in the opening set with Da'Jah Thompson and Annika Barnett each notching a kill early, but OCU recovered. The Stars scored seven of the next eight points, and after three straight points for MACU, the set was tied 9-9. The Evangels trailed 15-14 midway through the stanza, but OCU won 10 of the final 12 points in the set to take the frame 25-16.

The Evangels again took an early lead in set two. Elena Hadzhieva had a pair of kills early in the frame, and MACU grabbed the 6-3 lead. With the Evangels still leading 7-5, OCU rattled off nine straight points to take a 14-7 lead, and after MACU closed the gap to 15-12, the Stars went on a 10-0 run to end the stanza in a 25-12 win.

OCU opened the third set on a 6-0 run and the Evangels were unable to recover, as the Stars took the final set 25-11 to sweep the match.

Hadzhieva and Thompson each had five kills in the match, and Alexa Bass dished out 11 assists. Maegan Plunk recorded 15 digs, and Kaylie Walker added 10 digs in the match as well.

The Evangels will be back in action on Friday for a tri-match at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. MACU will take on the Coyotes of Kansas Wesleyan University (12-5) at 5 p.m. before battling the host Moundbuilders (14-5) at 7 p.m.