John Brown University volleyball season ends in semifinals

PLAINVIEW, Texas — The John Brown University volleyball team saw its season 2016 season come to an end Friday, as Oklahoma City defeated the Golden Eagles 3-1 (25-12, 2125, 25-23, 25-21) in the semifinals of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals held on the campus of Wayland Baptist (Texas).

JBU finishes the season with a 21-12 record overall and won six of its final seven matches.

The Golden Eagles lost the first set to Oklahoma City 25-12 but rallied to win game two 25-21 to even the match at 1-1. The Stars took the final two sets 25-23 and 25-21 for the victory.

Jessica Meyer and Megan Beck each had nine kills to lead JBU, while Carly McKinney had six kills.

Meyer led with five blocks, while Kennedy Shelstead and Beck each had two blocks.

Alyssa Arnold led with 17 assists, while Elizabeth Williams had 12. Beth Brankle led with 15 digs, while McKinney had 10 and Arnold eight digs.

Soraru Manon led Oklahoma City with 20 kills, while Bjelobrk Marijana had 14 and Clarke Shekinah had 12. kills. Vojnovic Sanja had 49 assists for the Stars.

The Stars advanced to the championship game on Saturday morning. Results were not available at presstime.

John Brown 3, St. Gregory’s 0

JBU won its sixth match in a row with a commanding 3-0 sweep (25-14, 2520, 25-16) over fifth-seeded St. Gregory’s (Okla.) on Tuesday evening inside Bill George Arena in the tournament quarterfinals.

Freshman Carly McKinney, freshman Megan Beck and senior Molli Pugh shouldered the majority of the success for JBU, as the trio combined for 27 kills and just three attack errors (.385 percent) while adding six block-assists. Pugh and McKinney each notched a double-double as Pugh terminated 10 and dug 14 balls while McKinney also featured 10 kills and 12 scoops in the victory.

Beck added seven kills and a pair of block-assists.

The Golden Eagles enjoyed 31 assists on 40 kills as junior Alyssa Arnold passed out 16 helpers and freshman Elizabeth Williams added 14 more of her own. St. Gregory’s managed just a pair of service aces and committed eight service errors contributing to the John Brown counterattack.