#9 Bri Linehan
College of the Ozarks vs Texas Wesleyan University - Saturday, September 20
Fort Worth, TX - In a challenging conference match on Friday, the College of the Ozarks Lady Cats faced a tough Texas Wesleyan Rams squad and fell with a final score of 0-3, in Fort Worth, TX. Despite battling through the match, the Lady Cats could not secure a win, moving their season record to 8-2 overall and 3-2 in the conference.
The match opened with the Lady Cats putting up a strong fight but ultimately falling 16-25 in the first set. Consistency in the scoring pattern was seen in the second set with an identical 16-25 loss, as the Rams maintained their lead. It was in the third set that C of O of gained some momentum pushing the set to a tight 23-25 finish yet falling short of securing the set.
Highlight performances from the Lady Cats came from Cora Roweton leading with nine kills and Anna Brunner not only contributing seven kills but also securing six blocks. Bri Linehan also played a noticeable role contributing in both kills and blocks. Defensively, standout digs were made by Gabby Bozzay (9), Anna Howe (8), and Audrey Riley (7), who alongside her defensive plays, led the team with 12 assists. Service aces came from Faith Klindworth who landed two and was supported by Anna Howe and Audrey Riley, each with one.
College of the Ozarks vs Nelson University - Friday, September 19
Waxahachie, TX - In another tough outing, the Lady Cats traveled to compete against Nelson University (Texas) on Saturday. This away game posed a significant challenge for the Lady Cats, who came into the match with a strong season record of 8-2.
Nelson (Texas), holding a mixed record of 8-8 overall and a strong conference mark of 6-1, hosted the Bobcats at their home court. The game featured several key players from both sides making crucial contributions. For the Lady Cats, Bri Linehan stepped up with 8 kills and 2 blocks, Anna Brunner added another 8 kills and 1 block, both showcasing their offensive capabilities. Meanwhile, Audrey Riley set up multiple plays with 10 assists.
On the opponent’s side, Nelson (Texas) countered strongly with Alexandra Bonnett leading with 10 kills and 1 block, while Samantha Moore also added to the defensive efforts with 6 kills and 2 blocks, highlighting the competitive nature of the match.
Looking ahead, the Lady Cats are set to face John Brown University on Wednesday, September 24, in Siloam Springs, AR. They will look to get back in the win column in the Sooner Athletic Conference and continue building experience for the challenging schedule that remains.