DURANT, Okla. – Western State Colorado University women's volleyball took to the court for the first day of action at the South Central Classic hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The Mountaineers dropped both matches on the day, the first to University of Central Oklahoma (25-16, 30-28, 25-14) before falling to the host Southeastern Oklahoma State in three (25-19, 25-19, 25-18).
 
Western (0-6) started the South Central Classic with a tough match up against University of Central Oklahoma (4-2), the 19^th ranked team in NCAA DII. 
 
Early in the first set, Western seemed well prepared for UCO. A kill from Kirsten Companik on the assist from Lyria Brook put the Mountaineers up 9-8 in the first stanza. However, a five-point Broncho run would be enough to give UCO the separation it needed to take the first set 25-16. 
 
In set two, a young Western team showed promise in what turned out to be an extended battle. The Mountaineers jumped out to three point edge immediately before stringing together eight consecutive points – including five on kills with assists from Hanna Hendrickson. Western kept clicking, pushing their lead to 20-9 before UCO began to respond. 
 
With the Mountaineer offense stuck at 22, the Bronchos launched a flourish scoring 8-9 points to narrow Western's lead to one, 23-22. But the Mountaineers were unable to break the Bronchos who took the set in extra points at 30-28.
 
UCO would go on to win the third set 25-14. 
 
Kirsten Companik lead the Western attack with seven kills, while Hanna Hendrickson dished out 17 assists. Cammi Baumann lead all players with 16 digs in the match. 
 
In the second match of the day, Western squared off with Southeastern Oklahoma State (1-4). A hot hitting Savage Storm team would prove to be too much for Western as they went down in straight sets. 
 
Companik again led the Mountaineers, terminating seven times while Kathleen Kasel chipped in five kills and four blocks. Hendrickson tied the match high with 24 assists against SOSE. 
 
After the first points of the match, SOSE began to pull away extending their lead to 12-7. Western would continue to battle, but could not get within four points of SOSE as they took the set 25-19.
 
In set two, Western edged out to a 13-9 lead before the Storm poured on 8-9 points before taking the set 25-19.
 
Western played SOSE tighter in the third, until the Storm rattled off five consecutive points that would put the Mountaineers behind for good.

Western returns to action tomorrow at the South Central Classic with two matches against Southern Nazarene University and Southern Arkansas University. Western's first match is slated for a 9 a.m. (MT) start with the second match starting at 1 p.m.