Point Lookout. MO - In an exciting Sooner Athletic Conference matchup on Saturday, the College of the Ozarks Lady Cats faced off against the top team in the conference, the Texas Wesleyan University Rams at Keeter Gymnasium in Point Lookout, Missouri. Despite a strong start in the opening set, the Bobcats ultimately fell 3–1 to a tough Rams team.

The Lady Cats came out strong in the opening set, battling point-for-point before claiming a thrilling 31–29 victory to spark early excitement in the match. Standout performances came from Bri Linehan, who tallied 15 kills, and Anna Brunner, who contributed 11 kills along with an impressive 4 blocks. However, despite their strong start, the momentum shifted in favor of the Rams, who rallied to take the next three sets with scores of 25–23, 25–13, and 25–19.

Texas Wesleyan demonstrated composure and made adjustments following the first set. The Rams were led by strong performances, notably from Sydney Alexander, whose impact was key in altering the course of the match. For the Lady Cats, Kamryn Link displayed exceptional all-around play, tallying 20 assists, 17 digs, and 2 aces. Despite her strong performance, the Lady Cats were unable to regain their early advantage.

Despite the loss, the C of O showcased strong defensive play and key individual performances. Christa Duffel added 9 kills and 3 blocks, while Gabby Bozzay anchored the back row with a team-high 18 digs. The Lady Cats next matchup will be against the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma on October 24, in Chickasha, OK.

The current season record for the Lady Cats stands at 13 wins and 8 losses overall, with a league record of 8-7. The upcoming games are crucial as they look to build toward post season play and especially as the conference tournament approaches.