(2) SWOSU vs (7) Southeastern

Thursday, Nov. 18, 2:30 pm

Hot Springs, Ark. (Bank OZK Arena)

Stats | Video | Series History

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – SWOSU Volleyball travels to the Great American Conference Championships this week, set to play out Thursday-Saturday at the Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The Bulldogs enter the field as the No. 2 seed and will face off against 7-seeded Southeastern at 2:30 on Thursday in the quarterfinals. SWOSU has defeated the Savage Storm twice this season – a 3-0 victory at home back on September 21st and most recently a 3-1 victory on the road on November 2nd.

This is the second time SWOSU has been the number two seed in the postseason tournament, which ties as the program best.

SWOSU is 18-13 all-time against Southeastern but 0-1 in the postseason, with a 3-1 loss to the Savage Storm that came in the 2016 semifinals. Since 2018, the Bulldogs hold a 7-1 advantage over SE.

The Dawg offense is led by senior Markenzie Benoit, who ranks first in the conference in hitting percentage (.357) and fifth in blocks (82 total, 1.02/set). Freshman Samantha Kuzma also ranks seventh in hitting percentage at .290.

As a team, SWOSU ranks in the top three in the league in many offensive categories including hitting percentage (.209), opponent hitting percentage (.161), assists (11.62/set) and kills (12.98/set). On defense, SWOSU ranks fifth in digs headed by junior libero Sophia DeSantiago who sits 11th in the conference with 4.08 digs/set.

With a potential win over Southeastern, SWOSU would play the winner of (3) Arkansas Tech and (6) Henderson State in the semifinals. That match will serve at 3:30pm on Friday. See field preview and full schedule below.

The Field

(1) Oklahoma Baptist (21-3, 14-2 GAC)

• Dawgs are 4-14 all-time against OBU
• Split the 2021 regular season series

o 3-2 victory on 9/16 in Weatherford

o 3-1 loss on 11/9 in Shawnee

(3) Arkansas Tech (19-7, 13-3 GAC)

• Dawgs are 6-13 all-time against ATU
• Defeated the Golden Suns 3-0 on 10/16 in Weatherford

(4) Harding (16-8, 12-4 GAC)

• Dawgs are 5-13 all-time against HU
• Defeated the Bisons 3-0 on 10/15 in Weatherford

(5) East Central (15-13, 11-5 GAC)

• Dawgs are 18-7 all-time against ECU
• Split the 2021 regular season series

o 3-2 loss on 9/24 in Ada

o 3-2 victory on 10/28 in Weatherford

(6) Henderson State (21-8, 10-6 GAC)

• Dawgs are 11-3 all-time against HSU
• Lost to the Reddies 3-1 on 10/7 in Arkadelphia

(7) Southeastern (8-18, 5-11 GAC)

• Dawgs are 18-13 all-time against SE
• Swept the 2021 regular season series

o 3-0 victory on 9/21 in Weatherford

o 3-1 victory on 11/2 in Durant

(8) Southern Nazarene (11-15, 5-11 GAC)

• Dawgs are 11-16 all-time against SNU
• Swept the 2021 regular season series

o 3-1 victory on 9/30 in Weatherford

o 3-1 victory on 11/4 in Bethany

Schedule

Thursday, November 17 – Quarterfinals:

Match #1: Noon- #3 Arkansas Tech vs #6 Henderson State

Match #2: 2:30 PM – #2 Southwestern Oklahoma State vs #7 Southeastern Oklahoma State

Match #3: 5:00 PM- #1 Oklahoma Baptist vs #8 Southern Nazarene

Match #4: 7:30 PM – #4 Harding at #5 East Central

Friday, November 19 – Semifinals:

Match #5: 3:30 PM- Winner of Match #1 vs. Winner of Match #2

Match #6: 6:00 PM – Winner of Match #3 vs. Winner of Match #4

Saturday, November 20 – Championship:

Match #7: 2:00 PM – Winner of Match #5 vs. Winner of Match #6