Kansas City
Oakland
Golden Grizzlies Snap 'Roos Five Match League Win Streak With 3-1 Win
11/6/2011 5:21:00 PM | Volleyball
Leading the way for the 'Roos was senior Elizabeth Beck, as the Omaha, Neb., native finished with a match-high 19 kills with a .347 hitting percentage. Junior Ella Meier, meanwhile, recorded her seventh consecutive double-double and 17 of the season after notching 34 assists and 21 digs, while adding three blocks.
The 'Roos opened the match in dominating fashion with a 25-16 first set victory. Oakland scored the set's first point, but a kill by junior Emily Lucas kicked-off a 7-0 run by UMKC. The Grizzlies cut the lead to five at 11-6, but five straight points, including a pair of aces from senior Christiana McQuin, put UMKC in front 16-6. The Kangaroos extended their lead to as many as 11 before taking a 1-0 lead in the match.
In the second set, the Golden Grizzlies tied the match with a 25-20 win. The 'Roos fell behind by six early in the set, before rallying back to tie the set at 19 on back-to-back kills by Beck. OU, though, scored six of the final seven points to tie the match heading into intermission.
Coming out of the break, Oakland took its first lead of the match with a 25-23 victory. The 'Roos held a four point lead late at 20-16, but could not hang on for the win, as Oakland closed the set out on a 9-3 run to take a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth set, the Golden Grizzlies ended the match with a 25-22 win. UMKC again held a late lead at 20-19 after back-to-back kills from Lucas and McQuin, but another OU run gave them the 3-1 match victory.
For the 'Roos, senior Nicole Kerkman led the way defensively with 26 digs, while senior Erin Wellwood (15), Knoche (13) and senior Kara Thomas (11) all finished with 10 or more digs. At the net, senior Demetria Williams finished with a team-high five blocks, including three solo.
Prior to the match, the 'Roos honored the seven members of its senior class in their last match at the Swinney Recreation Center.
The Blue & Gold will be back in action for their second to last match on Friday when they visit South Dakota State at 5 p.m.
