Roos Fall to Mavericks in Five Set Summit League Title Match

Tuesday, November 21

Vermillion, SD

7:00 PM

Kansas City

22-8,12-4Summit League

Omaha

15-13,12-4Summit League

Kansas City

Omaha

Photo by: Kansas City Athletics

Roos Fall to Mavericks in Five Set Summit League Title Match

11/21/2023 10:12:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Kansas City won the first two sets, but Omaha took over and claimed the match in five

VERMILLION, S.D. - Kansas City Volleyball (22-8, 12-4 Summit) had chances, but could not clinch the Summit League Championship, falling in heartbreaking fashion to #2 Omaha (14-13, 12-4 Summit). The Roos took the first two sets and looked to have an edge in the third, but the Mavericks were able to take control and shut down the Kansas City attack, earning the victory. Following the match, Odyssey Warren and Sydney Henry were named to the 2023 Summit League All-Tournament team.

SET-BY-SET

Set One / 25-18 | Omaha jumped out to an early lead, taking the first four points, but Kansas City was able to quickly draw back even on kills by Carly Gillen and Kaia Dunford. Neither team took more than a two-point lead from that point on, until a block by Henry and Gillen sparked a seven-point Kansas City run and allowed the Roos to reach set point. It was a kill by Dunford that secured the first set for the Roos.
Set Two / 25-20 | Back-to-back kills by Warren gave Kansas City an early 6-4 lead, but Omaha drew even shortly after. KC was able to go on a 3-1 run, capped by a kill from Kimora Whetstone, and claim a 12-8 lead. The Roos maintained a slight advantage until Caroline Keithley stepped up to the service line and KC claimed three-straight points, taking a 22-16 lead. The Mavericks continued to fight but a service error gave the second set Kansas City's way.
Set Three / 24-26 | The second set went back-and-forth to start until the Mavs were able to take three-straight points and force a Roos' timeout. KC responded by taking the next two points and eventually drew back even on a block by Gillen and Henry. Two-straight kills from Gillen gave KC a slight advantage, but Omaha was able draw back even at 21-21. Kansas City was able to fight off Omaha's first set point attempt, but could not fight off the second and the Mavs won the third.
Set Four / 12-25 | Omaha got out to a quick start in the fourth, claiming a 7-1 lead. The Roos drew back within four after kills by Gillen and Warren, but Omaha kept KC at an arm's length. KC got as close as it would, making the score 15-12 after an ace by Leah Green and a kill by Warren, but the Mavs ended the set on a 10-point run.
Set Five / 11-15 | Kansas City won the first point of the fifth set on a kill by Sila Ozyurek, but that was the only lead the Roos would hold the rest of the way. Omaha took the next three points, setting the tone. Kansas City would get back within a point a handful of times, but could never get over the hump and Omaha took the set and the match.

STATS TO NOTE

The loss moves Kansas City to 0-2 all-time in conference championship matches.
After Kansas City held UNO to 0.051 hitting in the first two sets, the Mavs hit at a 0.258 clip in the final three frames.
The Roos finished the match with 107 digs, led by Green with 32. That marked her third 30-plus dig match of the year, the first since Sep. 23.
Warren, Dunford and Henry all finished with double-double on the night. Warren had a team-high 16 kills and 15 digs, Dunford had 13 kills and 17 digs and Henry had 40 assists and 16 digs.
Blair Taylor finished with 18 digs, setting a new career-high. Her previous high mark was 15, coming against Missouri State on Aug. 31.

UP NEXT
Kansas City awaits to see what its postseason fate will be, with the NIVC field being announced on Nov. 26.