Kansas City
4-0,0-0Summit League
Missouri State
2-2,0-0MVC
Roos Pull Off Reverse Sweep Against Missouri State
8/31/2023 11:00:00 PM | Volleyball
The Roos erased a two-set deficit to pull off the first win over the Bears in program history
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Kansas City Volleyball went down, but was never out against Missouri State this evening in the first match of the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational, pulling off a reverse sweep of the Bears, 3–2 (22-25, 18-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-10). Kaia Dunford led the Roos with 20 kills, swinging at a .286 clip, while Sydney Henry dished out a career-high 56 assists, the most by a Roo since Alli Schomers' 60-assist performance against Western Illinois on Nov. 13, 2021.
SET-BY-SET VS. Missouri StateÂ
- SET ONE / 22-25 |Â Both teams went back and forth to begin the match, but Kansas City took a 12-10 lead with four-straight points on the serve of Leah Green. The Bears quickly drew back even and created separation late to take the first set.
- Â SET TWO / 18-25 | Missouri State jumped out to a 12-6 lead in the second set. The Roos drew within two points on a kill by Kimora Whetstone, but a late 6-1 run by the Bears gave them a two set lead.
- SET THREE / 25-21 | Looking to avoid a sweep, the Roos used a 5-1 run with two kills each by Odyssey Warren and Kaia Dunford to claim a 13-8 lead. Missouri State drew back within two, but a kill by Nyle Mathis sparked a five-point KC run and the Roos picked up the set victory. Warren collected five kills in the set, Dunford followed up with four kills to force a fourth set.Â
- Â SET FOUR / 25-23 | The Roos grabbed an early 8-2 lead with the help of a pair of kills by Whetstone, and seemed to be in command of the set, expanding the lead to 19-12 late. Missouri State battled back to fend off five set points, but Sila Ozyurek's third kill of the set gives KC the set victory after Missouri State when on a five point run.Â
- SET FIVE / 15-10 | Warren pushed the Roos in front with back-to-back kills putting the KC up 4-1, and KC never looked back, leading the rest of the set. Carly Gillen capped off the set with a kill and took the Roos to victory.
STATS TO NOTE
- Â Tonight's win extends the Roos' best start in program history, moving KC to 4-0 on the young season.
- Â After hitting at a .182 clip in the first two sets, Kansas City picked up the offense and swung at a .279 rate across the final three sets. That included a blazing .480 hitting percentage in the final set, throwing down 12 kills and zero errors on 25 attempts.
- Green spearheaded the Roos' defensive efforts with 20 digs, followed by double-digit efforts from Dunford (18), Blair Taylor (15) and Henry (14).Â
- Â Coming off of a Summit League Defensive Performer of the Week award, Gillen continued her impressive play, tallying nine block assists and one solo block.
- Â Dunford notched the Roos' first 20-kill performance of the year, while Warren contributed 16 and Whetstone pitched in a career-high 13 kills on .346 hitting.
COACH CHRISTI POSEY, QUOTED
"It was good to see our response when our backs were against the wall. A gritty comeback, highlighted by several great defensive performances. I thought after the first two sets, Leah was outstanding; she led the charge in our defensive intensity. We settled down and got into better rhythm offensively. I was very pleased with our intent and execution in game five. Sydney spread the ball around and our hitters made great choices with no errors. We'll be tested through the season and this was a good step in grinding out a win."
UP NEXTÂ
The Roos will look to continue their winning streak, playing Arkansas-Pine Bluff tomorrow at 3 p.m.
