Final Stats (.pdf Format)

CANYON, Texas – Behind a pair of double-digit kill performances by freshman Kaelen Valdez and sophomore Chelsea Gibson, the No. 3 seed Angelo State volleyball team swept No. 6 seed Central Oklahoma 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 26-24) to advance to the semifinals of the Lone Star Conference Volleyball Tournament.

With the victory the 'Belles improve to 18-11 on the year, while the Bronchos finish their season with a 20-11 overall record.

Valdez notched another double-double performance for ASU as she tallied 12 kills and a match-high 17 digs, while hitting .323 in the contest. Gibson slammed a match-best 13 kills, registered two digs, a pair of block assists and hit .269 a day after being named LSC Offensive Player of the Year. Sophomore setter Alex Woolsey kept the 'Belles' offense going as she collected 38 assists, seven digs, two kills and a couple of block assists. On defense, libero Caroline Cleveland recorded 15 digs, while junior Kayla Smith dug 11 balls to lead the 'Belles.

The Rambelles rallied in the first set to take a 25-19 victory into the second set. Down by three points (6-3), Smith got the 'Belles back in the game on her first kill of the match. Smith's kill got ASU going and the 'Belles took a 7-6 lead on a Woolsey kill as she faked a set, and tipped the ball over the net for the kill. The Bronchos would not give up as they rallied and capitalized on back-to-back Rambelle miscues to take a two-point advantage (12-10). After falling behind 14-12, head coach Chuck Waddington called for a timeout. After the break, the 'Belles battled back and evened the score at 16 all. Valdez lit a fire under the Rambelles when she dug a serve from Ginger Gowen sending it over the net finding the perfect place between two UCO players for the kill. Valdez's kill gave ASU the lead for good as the 'Belles ended the first set on an 8-3 run.

The second set belonged to the 'Belles as Angelo State held Central Oklahoma to a .000 hitting percentage. Despite nine kills by the Bronchos, the Rambelles defense forced UCO into nine attack errors in the set. After an early 4-4 tie, the Rambelles held a steady lead throughout the rest of the set. The 'Belles did not allow the Bronchos to come within five points in the match. As a team, Angelo State recorded 12 kills in the set took set two by a score of 25-16.

Trying desperately to avoid the sweep and keep their season alive, Central Oklahoma quickly took an 8-2 lead to start the third set. Angelo State, however, was not ready to let the Bronchos take the set and the 'Belles slowly chipped away at UCO's lead, closing the gap to just one point (10-9). Gibson spiked the ball at the perfect angle to even the score at 10 and get the 'Belles back in the game. After giving up a six-point advantage, the Bronchos surrendered the lead as Gibson and Woolsey jumped up for a block assist giving the Rambelles an 11-10 lead. ASU pushed its lead to three as Woosley found the corner of the court for a kill to give the 'Belles a three-point lead (13-10). Valdez made a crucial dig to keep the rally alive which ended in a UCO attack error putting the Rambelles up, 16-12. The Bronchos refused to quit rallying from behind to pull within one (20-19). As the two squads battled, UCO tied the set on an ASU miscue. With the set on the line, Central Oklahoma's Fleming Smurthwaite gave the Bronchos the lead when she slapped the ball over the net for a kill. The Bronchos pushed the game to set point on a service ace by Morgan Roy. The hard-nosed Rambelles continued to play hard and Valdez evened the score at 24 with a kill that followed a UCO service error. Freshman Maddie Huth followed suit and knocked down a kill of her own to give the Rambelles the lead, pushing the game to set and match point. With a 25-24 lead, the 'Belles put the match away on a Valdez kill that went off the hands of a UCO player in the back row.

UCO was led by Zuela Adom who collected 13 kills, three total blocks and hit .333 in the match. Smurthwaite tallied 24 assists, three digs and three kills. On defense, Tate Hardaker registered a team-high 15 digs, while Kristen Wilson added 11.

The 'Belles will be back in action in the second round of the LSC Tournament Friday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m., when they take on the winner of the No. 2 seed Abilene Christian–No. 7 seed Texas Woman's match. Live stats and live video are available by clicking links on AngeloSports.com or by accessing LoneStarConferece.org.

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