Kansas City
Southern Utah
'Roos Fall In Three To Southern Utah
9/15/2011 11:19:00 PM | Volleyball
(Kansas City, Mo.) - The UMKC volleyball team (5-5, 0-1) opened up Summit League play on Thursday night, falling 3-0 to Southern Utah (3-8, 1-0) at Centrum Arena. Junior Ella Meier led the 'Roos, as the setter finished with 15 assists and 11 digs for her fourth double-double of the season.
In the first set, the 'Roos traded the first eight points of the match, but with the score tied at four the Thunderbirds went on a 6-1 run to build a five point lead. The 'Roos pulled back to within four at 14-10 on a kill from sophomore Chloe Jarema, but could not complete the comeback, falling 25-18.
Southern Utah built its lead in the match to 2-0 with a 25-17 second set win. Senior Kelsey Knoche led UMKC in the set finishing with four kills and four digs, while hitting .500.
The Thunderbirds would go on to close out the match with a 25-22 win in the final set. In the set, the 'Roos jumped out to a 10-6 lead after two kills from Jarema and one each from senior Christiana McQuin and Elizabeth Beck. SUU, though, would go on an 8-3 run to take its first lead of the set at 14-13. UMKC answered with a 3-0 run of its own to retake the lead and held the lead late at 22-21. The Thunderbirds though scored the final four points of the match to take a 3-0 victory.
In the match, Jarema and Knoche led the 'Roos with seven kill apiece, while Brittney Robers added 12 assists. Beck, meanwhile, hit .417 with six kills. Defensively, Knoche led the squad with 12 digs, while senior Nicole Kerkman had 10.
The Blue & Gold will be back in action again on Saturday when they take on Oral Roberts in Tulsa at 5 p.m.
