McPHERSON, Kan. (MacBulldogs.com) — The McPherson College Bulldogs took care of business at home Saturday (Sep. 9), knocking off Benedictine University and Oklahoma City University at the Sport Center. With the two wins, the Bulldogs improve to 7-3 this season.
BENEDICTINE
Petra Fernandez was outstanding in the opener, finishing with 19 kills, seven of which came in the second set. She also finished 13 digs.
The Bulldogs went blow-for-blow in the opening set, before scoring eight of the last 11 points, including a trio of kills by Enya Fierens.
MC kept that momentum in the second set, mounting a 17-12 lead, then cruised to a 25-18 win, following three straight kills by Hadley Waldren, Petra Fernandez, and Fierens.
The Ravens raced out to a 19-11 advantage in the third set, but an 8-1 burst by the Bulldogs pulled them within 20-19. MC would level the score at 25 apiece, and even grab a 27-26 lead, but three straight points by the Ravens gave them the set win.
The fourth set was a battle early on, with neither team able to grab a comfortable lead, until a 6-2 run by the Bulldogs put them on top 21-17. From there, the Bulldogs would cruise to the set win, capped off by a service ace by Petra Fernandez.
Waldren and Katelyn Moore finished with 10 kills apiece, while Fierens added seven kills, and a career-high five solo blocks. Cynarah Rodriguez had a season-high 47 assists, while Moriah Delgado recorded 25 digs to lead the way defensively.
OKLAHOMA CITY
The Stars jumped out to a 17-10 edge in the first set, but the Bulldogs answered with an 8-1 spurt that included a trio of attacking errors by OCU bookended by kills by Zoe Fernandez.
But out of a timeout by the Stars, OCU used back-to-back kills by Michela De Stefano to lead again 22-18. However, again the Bulldogs showed no quit, scoring nine of the final 12 points thanks to kills from Alex Pak, Zoe Fernandez, and Petra Fernandez.
Similar to the first match of the day, the Bulldogs carried their momentum into the second set, leading 12-6 before winning the frame 25-19.
In the third set, the Bulldogs hit .286 as a team, gaining control and completing the sweep.
Zoe Fernandez led the Bulldogs offensively with 11 kills, while Petra Fernandez added 10 kills. Rodriguez finished with 27 assists, and added five kills. Delgado finished with 16 digs.
The Bulldogs are back in action on Tuesday at home against the Mid-America Christian starting at 7:00 p.m.
