Badgers take set from No. 10 OC, drop match 3-1

Facing a 14-4 deficit in set three of Saturday's match against 10th ranked Odessa College, Amarillo College had the option to lay down and get swept for the consecutive contest against the formidable Wranglers.

Or make the No. 10 team in the country scrap for a hard-fought victory.

The Badgers left no questions as to what their answer was and showed a flash of their high ceiling despite a 3-1 defeat (25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 25-11).

AC went on a 16-6 run to tie the third set at 20-22. Sophomore Kaela Neie led the Badger rally with two aces and a kill during the run.

Jaelynn Jackson added a kill and a block while Jayli Franklin and Olivia Hurnes had one kill apiece to end set three.

Another Jackson block gave the Badgers a 22-21 lead. Genesis Mendez and Neie secured a 25-22 set three win with the final two kills of the frame.

Odessa College went on to win set four 25-11 to improve their conference record to 8-2.

Wrangler freshman Lauren Dale had a match-high 22 kills by way of a .241 hitting percentage. Returning all-conference setter Jade Cuya added 46 assists and 13 digs.

Jackson, a freshman from Royse City, had a team-best .417 hitting percentage for AC, ending the contest with seven kills on 12 swings, and three blocks.

Neie recorded a team-high eight kills.

Anau Tua'one paced the Badgers in assists (21) and had two aces.

AC's conference record dropped to 4-6 with the loss. The Badgers are currently in a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference, along with Frank Phillips College and Midland College.

Up next for AC is a road match on Wednesday at 6 p.m. against Clarendon College (19-11, 3-7).