Drury closes Gorilla Classic with win over NW Oklahoma St.

PITTSBURG, Kan.– The Drury Panthers ended the Gorilla Classic tournament with a win as they defeated Northwestern Oklahoma State in four sets in the second of two games on Saturday in Pittsburg, Kansas. Earlier in the day, Drury fell to 11^th ranked Southwest Minnesota State 3-0.
 
Drury started the day with a 9 a.m. match-up against the 11^th ranked Mustangs. Southwest Minnesota State swept their way to a 3-0 win behind 13 kills and a .429 hitting percentage from Saari Kuehl. Alisa Bengen added 33 assists for SMSU.
 
Kayli Duncan had seven block assists for the Panthers and Lexi Basler had a team-high 19 digs. Three different Panthers had five kills in the game.
 
Drury bounced back to close out the tournament with a 3-1 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State. After dropping the first set, 25-19, the Panthers won the second 25-22, and dominated the third 25-16. Drury clinched the win with a 25-22 victory in the fourth set.
 
Salma Lewis had 14 kills, three service aces, and 14 digs for the Panthers, while Juliana Squire added 11 kills and 24 digs. Lauren Tyler posted 38 assists, and Stormi Tadlock contributed eight block assists. 
 
Drury ended the day with a 1-7 record. Northwestern Oklahoma State went to 2-6 and Southwest Minnesota State was 6-1 after their win Saturday morning.
 
Drury returns to the road next weekend when they travel to Southeastern Oklahoma State on Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. and Southern Nazarene on Sept. 16 at 2 p.m.
 
#