Kansas City
1-9,0-0Summit League
Western Illinois
2-8,0-0OVC
Roos Drop Action-Packed Home Opener to Leathernecks
9/16/2025 9:14:00 PM | Volleyball
Kansas City set a season high 57 digs as a team for a three set match
KANSAS CITY, MO. - Despite an exciting atmosphere for the home opener, Kansas City Volleyball (1-9) was unable to prevail against Western Illinois (2-8), falling 3-0 in the Swinney Center Tuesday evening. The Roos notched over 20 points in each set but couldn't seal the deal as WIU took the match 25-22, 25-20, 27-25. Western Illinois outscored the Roos 67-57 in points, taking the match by an average of just over three points per set.Â
Set one saw Kansas City take an early 5-4 lead, with kills across three of those five points. The Roos were the first to 10 points as Doga Eski tallied four kills in that stretch. KC held a small advantage most of the way, but allowed the Leathernecks to tie the score at 20 all. WIU went on a 5-2 run to close out a tight opening set, a sign of the even play to come in the match.Â
The Roos trailed for the majority of the second set but kept it close throughout, taking their first lead at the 12-11 mark off a Kailee Deffebaugh kill in the middle of the floor. Kansas City and Western Illinois went back and forth trading mini runs before the Leathernecks pulled away late, closing the set on a five point unanswered run.Â
The third and final set brought the most action of all, going the distance and more at 27-25 favoring WIU. The frame began with KC going on a three point run before Western Illinois notching a game-tying point at the 5-5 mark. From there, Kansas City was the first to 10 and 15 points, opening up a five point advantage at 15-10 which was their largest of the match.Â
Despite playing their cleanest set of play, the Leathernecks weaseled their way back into the set, tying the score at 22 all late. The Roos had WIU with their backs against the walls 24-22 but couldn't finish the job. The Leathernecks went on a 5-1 run to finish the match in a sweep.Â
While Kansas City registered 57 digs, the most by the Roos as a team in a three set match all season, they allowed WIU to record 77 points, 33 kills, 18 block assists, 47 digs and six service aces across the match. Service was an issue for Kansas City as the Roos committed 11 service errors, six reception errors and failed to notch an ace in the match.Â
Nyle Mathis and Mia Weaver led Kansas City in kills with eight each. Mathis and Weaver also led KC in total attacks with 28 and 25 respectively. Weaver also had 12 digs which was second on the team behind Chloe Kaminski with 13 digs for the match. Kaminski notched her third double-double of the season, tallying 12 assists as well.Â
Kansas City travels across the state to the Gateway to the West as the Roos will face Southeast Missouri State, Saint Louis and Missouri State all in the Missouri Challenge this weekend.
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