Kansas City
12-9,8-3WAC
Chicago State
4-21,0-11WAC
Volleyball Brings out the Broomsticks on Halloween Night
10/31/2019 10:20:00 PM | Volleyball
Roos Sweep Chicago State Behind the Play of Harrington and Brecka
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - On Halloween night at the Swinney Center, the biggest trick that the Kansas City volleyball team was trying to avoid was an upset bid from Chicago State. Last season, the Cougars were able to take a five-set match away from the Roos late in the season, and Kansas City needed to thwart those plans this year in order to hang on to sole possession of third place in the Western Athletic Conference. Alicia Harrington and Melanie Brecka combined for 31 kills on .407 hitting to lead the Roos to the sweep, 25-13, 27-25, 25-14.
"I was pleased that we were able to establish a tone," Head Coach Christi Posey said. "It was important not only because of what happened at their place, but also our last match. We wanted to get back on the winning track."
After falling to Grand Canyon on Saturday in a battle for second place, the Roos needed to make a statement. They did exactly that in the first set, using a 15-6 run to close out the frame. Harrington caught fire from the beginning of the match, placing six kills on her first nine attacks and picking apart the Chicago State defense. Harrington had one of her least productive matches of the year against Grand Canyon, placing just six kills and countering it with six errors. She was able to bounce back, pounding home 16 kills on .406 hitting.
"I've been working really hard," Harrington said. "(Against Grand Canyon) I didn't have my best game, so I made an intent this week to pick it up not only for myself, but for my team, because I felt like my team deserved better."
Harrington has played a big role in the Kansas City attack for the past two years, but has been heavily relied on this season. Her success translates into the Roos' success, as the team is 6-3 when she reaches the 15-kill mark.
"It helps the rest of our team go, 'Oh, good, Alicia's here,'" Posey said. "It really helps our team settle in and know that she's going to get hers."
The second set resulted in more of a struggle for the Roos. The Cougars came out to a 14-10 lead before Kansas City was able to draw it back even at 16-16. The rest of the set was back and forth, a kill by Brecka saved set point, and an Alex Ratzlaff ace paired with a Chicago State hitting error gave the Roos the set.
The third set was the Melanie Brecka show. She caught fire, killing six balls on just eight attacks and adding a service ace. Alli Schomers picked up the defensive game, digging up four Chicago State attacks, which pushed her to her seventh double-double of the season (38 assists, 10 digs). After falling behind early 8-4, Kansas City won 21 of the next 27 points and ran away with the sweep.
Brecka seems to have the Cougars' number. Her career-high of 20 kills came against them last season, and she averages 4.5 kills per set against Chicago State in four career matches. Today was no different, finishing with 15 kills on .407 hitting, her third-highest hitting percentage of the season.Â
"Chicago State is not a real physical team," Posey said. "I think the speed at which she can play, when we're in system and get her that ball, is advantage-Mel."
With the sweep, Kansas City avoids their first back-to-back losses in WAC play. The Roos will have the weekend off, before traveling to California Baptist for a Monday night matchup.
