HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The (22) Ottawa University women's volleyball team was defeated in the KCAC Tournament Semifinals, 3-2; 25-13, 22-25, 25-23, 15-25, 11-15; on Friday evening at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. OU will now prepare for the NAIA National Tournament's Opening Round that is scheduled for Nov. 19.
How it Happened
- The Braves raced out to the early lead and had a 19-10 advantage over Saint Mary after a Presley Crader service ace in set one. The Spires were not able to rally and Ottawa took the 25-13 victory.
- OU scored the first five points of set two. Back-to-back kills by Radaisy Valdez gave the Braves an 8-3 lead. Saint Mary rallied and took a 17-14 lead. Ottawa responded with three straight points, tying the set 17-17 on a Jazlyn Westmoreland kill. The Spires answered by scoring the next for points to take a 21-17 lead over the Braves. Ottawa was not able to rally and Saint Mary took the 25-22 victory.
- The Braves had a 14-9 lead over Saint Mary after a block by Radaisy Valdez in set three. USM tried to rally, cutting the Brave lead to 20-19. A kill by Valdez and two straight Kaitlyn Haller service aces gave OU a 23-19 lead. The Spires again cut into the Brave lead and were within 24-23. The Braves took the set on the next point, a Valdez kill, 25-23.
- Saint Mary jumped out to a 6-1 lead over the Braves in set four. Ottawa was not able rebound from its slow start and Saint Mary took the 25-15 victory.
- The Spires reached eight first and after the teams switched sides, scored the next point to take the 9-7 lead over the Braves. Ottawa answered by scoring the next two points to tie the set, 9-9. USM retook the lead, 10-9 but OU quickly answered with a kill from Valdez to tie the set at 10-10. The Spires broke open the set with four straight points to take a 14-10 lead. A Valdez kill put the Braves within 14-11. Saint Mary, however, ended the set and the match on the next point, 15-11.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa finished the match with 62 kills, a .223 attacking percentage, 58 assists, six service aces, 86 digs, and 13 team blocks.
- Radaisy Valdez led the Braves with 17 kills. She had seven blocks and three digs.
- Katelyn Elstun had 10 kills in three sets. She missed the final two sets due to an injury.
- Kaitlyn Haller was one kill away from a triple double. She had 30 assists and 14 digs.
- Haylee O'Meara finished the match with a double-double. She had 23 assists and 11 digs.
- Jadore Hayes led OU with 28 digs.
- Elli Rogers had six blocks.
Who is Next
Ottawa (25-10) will now wait to see who its opponent will be in the NAIA Opening Round. The NAIA Women's Volleyball Selection show is Monday, Nov. 14 at 10:00 a.m. (cst) and can be viewed on the NAIA's Youtube Channel.
