Kansas City
14-8,10-3WAC
Utah Valley
9-16,6-7WAC
Volleyball Grinds for Victory over Utah Valley
11/8/2019 12:04:00 AM | Volleyball
Brecka Matches Career-High Kill Count to Pace Kansas City's Victory
When Kansas City played Utah Valley in early October, it resulted in one of the most memorable matches of the season. Four Kansas City players set or tied their career highs, Alicia Harrington eclipsed the 20-kill mark for the first time all season, and the Roos won in five sets.Â
Thursday's meeting between the two squads may not have had quite as many career highs (although, it did have one) or an exciting fifth set, but it did serve as a marker for the will to win that the Roos have developed. Kansas City battled through a delayed game, a muted middle attack and a staunch Wolverine front line defense to defeat UVU 3-1 (25-17, 18-25, 25-22, 25-21).
"We didn't win every battle," Head Coach Christi Posey said. "Some people might look at that and say, 'How the heck did they win in four?' I think that's the sign of a good team. We keep talking about being a team where whatever it takes to win, we can do it."
BRECKA MAGIC
The Roos were paced by Melanie Brecka, who has hit her stride as of late. It began with a team-leading 16 kill performance in the loss against Grand Canyon, and has only picked up since then. She has averaged 4.8 kills per set over Kansas City's last three matches, and tied her career high tonight against the Wolverines, picking up 20 kills for the third time as a Roo.
"(Setter) Alli (Schomers) and I have been connecting pretty well, and we've been working a lot in practice on different shots, trying to hit around the block and use the block as much as possible," Brecka said.
Brecka was playing high-level volleyball tonight, swinging in the final two sets to the tune of .500 hitting. She rattled off two straight kills late in the fourth set to bring the Roos back even at 20-20, but the greatest example of the night she was having came a couple of points later.
With Kansas City leading 21-20 and on the verge of clinching the match, Utah Valley's Kazna Tarawhiti sent across an attack that took a dive from Harrington just to dig up, with no chance at controlling it to Schomers. The ball sailed off to the right side of the net, appearing as if it was going to sail outside of the upright and fall for a Wolverine point. At the last second, Brecka leapt up, and flicked the ball at the perfect angle to miss the antenna and clear the net. The Wolverines, completely unprepared for an attack, tried to keep the ball alive with no success, falling for Brecka's 20th and final kill of the night and giving Kansas City the momentum it needed to close out the match.
"Mel's a tough matchup at times because she's quick, has such great ball control, and sees the block very well," Posey said. "We're blessed that she's on our team."
HARRINGTON'S UNRELENTING ATTACKÂ
Harrington continued to shine as well against the Wolverines, following up her career-high night against California Baptist with 18 kills and 11 digs, her ninth double-double of the season. She pushed the Roos through the first set, placing three straight kills to give them a 23-17 lead and secure the set.
SERVING WHERE THEY AREN'T
The Roos performed well in the serve, acing the Wolverines eight times. Brecka made up three of those aces, her third performance of the year with 3+ aces.
"I've been working on getting a lot of float on my serve, driving them deep and making them stand up, and it just works," Brecka said.
The Roos remain in third place in the Western Athletic Conference after Grand Canyon picked up a gritty five-set victory over UTRGV. They will play their final home match on Saturday against Grand Canyon, which will mark the final Swinney Center games of Harrington, Ty Lukes and Mykal Sadler's careers.
