Roos Grind Out Victory over Saint Louis

Saturday, August 28

Columbia, Mo.

12:00 PM

Kansas City

2-1,0-0Summit League

Saint Louis

1-2,0-0Atlantic 10

Saint Louis

Kansas City

Photo by: Cassie Florido

Roos Grind Out Victory over Saint Louis

8/28/2021 3:10:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score

Kansas City used a balanced attack to take a five-set win over the Billikens

COLUMBIA, Mo. - In a battle that went down to the wire on Saturday afternoon, Kansas City volleyball prevailed over Saint Louis, 3-2 (25-16, 20-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-10). The Roos were led by a balanced attack from Melanie Brecka, Raina Smith and Odyssey Warren in the victory.

KEY MOMENTS

S1 | The Roos jumped out to a quick start on the Billikens, capped by an ace from Leah Green to put KC in front, 6-2.
S1 | Kansas City continued to pile on the attack as Alli Schomers found Carly Gillen for a kill in the middle of the court to extend the lead to 10-5.
S1 | With the Billikens threatening a comeback, Kansas City rattled off four-straight points, including an ace by Schomers to put the Roos up 19-13.
S1 | Back-to-back kills by Odyssey Warren put the set away, giving the Roos an early advantage. Warren paced KC with four kills on six attacks in the first set.
S2 | After Saint Louis jumped out to a quick start, De'Janae Arnold earned back-to-back block assists and a kill to bring the Roos within one, 16-15.
S2 | Smith got involved in the defensive game, blocking a Billiken attack at the net to draw the Roos within three at 22-19, but Saint Louis took the second set.
S3 | Incredible digs by Schomers and Maddie Renn kept the Roos alive in the point and Brecka was there to finish it off with a swing down the line to put the Roos in front 6-4 early in the third.
S3 | At another crucial moment, Kansas City went back to Brecka on a sliding attack to gain an 18-17 advantage.
S3 | After leading 21-19, Kansas City allowed the Billikens to take the final six points of the third set.
S4 | The sides traded points early in the fourth set, but a block by Smith and Gillen put the Roos in front, 14-13.
S4 | With Saint Louis finding its stride, Alli Schomers went to Gillen in the middle for a big kill to tie the set up at 18-18.
S4 | A denial by Schomers and Arnold on the right side of the net poised the Roos perfectly to take the fourth set and force set number five.
S5 | Kansas City jumped on the Billikens early in the fifth set, winning the first five points on the serve of Kennedy Schritenthal.
S5 | The Roos continued to pile on the attack, jumping out to a 9-2 lead behind four early kills from Brecka.
S5 | Saint Louis tried to make things interesting, but Raina Smith put an end to the match with a big swing on the outside.

STATS TO NOTE

Despite finishing with 15 less kills than the Billikens, Kansas City was much more precise in its attack, committing 14 fewer errors.
The Roos were aided by 15 service errors from Saint Louis on the day.
Arnold was a monster in the block, finishing with a game-high five total blocks.
The Roos' back line kept them in the match, with Renn, Schritenthal and Green each finishing in double-digit digs.
Kansas City was next-to-flawless in the final set, finishing with nine kills and one error on 15 attacks.
Schomers posted a stat line of 43 assists, seven digs and two blocks, adding and ace and two kills in the victory.

COACH CHRISTI POSEY, QUOTED

"It was a great battle between two hard-working, gritty teams. We came out in game five with a more aggressive attitude than in games two and three. We were fortunate to get a nice lead in the fifth, but they closed the gap with some great play makers."
"The best part of this weekend is to see where we are and what we need to work on. Each team did some different things to expose some weaknesses that we'll need to firm up before next weekend, but overall it was a solid start to our season."

UP NEXT
After a 2-1 start to the season in Columbia, the Roos will travel to Boone, N.C. next weekend for match ups with Appalachian State, East Tennessee State and Old Dominion.