The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 3 – Arkansas-Pine Bluff 0
Records: ORU (1-6) – Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-7)
Location: H.O. Clemmons Arena
 
PINE-BLUFF, Ark. – The Golden Eagles swept Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Tuesday night at H.O Clemmons Arena in a three-set victory (25-15, 25-20, 25-14), picking up their first win of the 2024 season.

ORU began the match on a four-to-one run behind kills from Anzley Rinard and Rachel Resta. The Golden Lions stayed close behind early on but the Golden Eagles had too much momentum, extending the lead to nine later in the set (22-13). Two kills from Kedron Burk and one from Anzley Rinard led to three points and an ORU set one victory.

ORU started the second set in a slump as the Golden Lions went on a 9-1 run to open the set. Three straight kills from Rachel Resta, Trinity Freeman and Hope Hickman got the Golden Eagles back into it, going on a 15-5 run and leading by two. Back-and-forth points from the Golden Eagles crippled the Golden Lions and it was time to close this one out.
 
Arkansas-Pine Bluff returned to the court defeated as ORU piled on the kills, hitting .333% in the third set. A 12-0 Golden Eagles run couldn't have come at a better time, securing the win for the Golden Eagles and the fourth of the Luke Ward Era.
 
Match Notes

• Trinity Freeman recorded her 6^th game of the season with 10 or more kills
• Shelbi Steen tallied six kills and a .667 hitting percentage, leading the team. Hope Hickman wasn't far behind hitting .500 on the day, recording six kills.
• Natassia Baptiste logged two solo blocks while Shelbi Steen added two block assists.
• Freshman Rachel Resta continues to impress racking up 19 assists.
• Thaynara de Jesus led the team in digs with 17.

Up Next
ORU travels across the country to Fullerton, California on Friday, Sept. 13th for the Titan Invitational.
 
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