FAYETTE, Mo. – The Ottawa University women's volleyball finished the Hampton Inn Classic on Saturday with a record of 1-1. The Braves defeated no. 21 Grand View University 3-1; 24-26, 25-23, 25-11, 25-22; but fell 3-1 to no. 14 Central Methodist University, 25-22, 24-26, 24-26, 15-25.
How it Happened – Grand View
- The Braves found themselves down 19-10 to Grand View in set one. Ottawa rallied, scoring seven straight points to get within 19-17 of the Vikings after a block by Lillian Holden. OU was able to tie the set, 21-21 after two straight attacking errors by Grand View. GVU scored the next three points to increase its lead to 24-21. Ottawa responded with three straight points of its own, tying the set 24-24. Grand View, however, was able to score the next two points, taking the 26-24 victory.
- Ottawa got off to a slow start in set two and was down 5-0. A kill by Radaisy Valdez put OU on the score board, 5-1. Ottawa stayed within striking distance of Grand View and was within 19-16 after an Alexa Boyle kill. OU then rallied, outscoring GVU 5-1 to take a 21-20 lead over the Vikings on a Megan Wall kill. The teams exchanged points and a Valdez kill gave OU a 24-23 lead. Ottawa was able to complete the comeback on the next point. Boyle put the ball away, giving OU a 25-23 victory.
- A GVU attacking error and a service ace by Kayla Smocks gave OU an 11-4 lead over Grand View in set three. Ottawa held the Vikings to seven points for the remainder of the set, taking the 25-11 victory.
- OU opened set four with a 5-1 lead. GVU rallied and tied the set at 7-7. Two errors by the Vikings gave OU a 9-7 lead. GVU answered with two straight points, tying the set again, 9-9. Ottawa responded with three straight points on two kills by Jazlyn Westmoreland and a GVU attacking error, 12-9. The Braves built its lead to five points, 17-12. GVU cut into OU's lead and was within two points, 18-16. Ottawa increased its lead to 23-18 on a Wall kill. GVU rallied and cut the Brave lead to 23-22. That is all the closer the Vikings would get. Valdez's kill gave OU a 24-22 lead and OU ended the match on a block by Holden and Valdez, 25-22.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa finished the match with 47 kills, a .137 attacking percentage, seven service aces, 70 digs, and 15 team blocks.
- OU had two players with double-digit kills. Radaisy Valdez finished with 15 kills and eight blocks. Megan Wall had 10 kills and three blocks.
- Kaitlyn Haller recorded her third straight double-double, finishing with 26 assists ad 10 digs.
- Haylee O'Meara had 17 assists.
- Jadore Hayes led OU with 17 digs.
How it Happened – Central Methodist
- Ottawa took an early 9-4 lead over Central Methodist in set one. CMU rallied and tied the set, 13-13. A kill by Boyle and a service ace from O'Meara gave OU a 15-13 lead. The Eagles rallied once more, tying the set 20-20. A Valdez kill and a CMU attacking error gave the Braves a 22-20 lead. Ottawa never surrendered its lead in the final moments of the set, taking the 25-22 victory.
- In set two, the Braves had a 6-1 lead over Central Methodist. The Eagles chipped away at the Brave lead, tying the set 7-7. OU scored the next three points, taking a 10-7 lead on a Wall block. Ottawa increased its lead to 22-16 over CMU. Central Methodist answered with an 8-1 run, taking a 24-23 lead over the Braves. Ottawa tied the set on a Wall kill, 24-24. The Eagles were able score the next two points, taking the 26-24 victory.
- The Braves found themselves down 10-5 in set three, leading to a timeout. Ottawa responded by going on a 16-6 run and taking a 21-16 lead. The Braves were not able to keep the momentum going for the final points of the match and Central Methodist rallied past the Braves, 26-24.
- The teams exchanged points to start set four. A kill by Elli Rogers put OU within one point, 8-7. CMU scored the next three points, increasing its lead to 11-7. The Braves were not able to stage a comeback and send the match to a final set, falling 25-15 in set four.
Inside the Box Score
- The Braves finished the match with 47 kills, a .147 attacking percentage, 46 assists, one service ace, 70 digs, and seven team blocks.
- Radaisy Valdez led OU with 17 kills.
- Kaitlyn Haller earned her fourth straight double-double, finishing the match with 23 assists and 10 digs.
- Haylee O'Meara had 17 assists and eight digs.
- Jadore Hayes led OU with 18 digs.
Who is Next
Ottawa (1-4) will now travel to the GoSarpy.com Labor Day Classic in Bellevue, Neb. and play Thursday, Sept. 1 through Saturday, Sept. 3. The Braves open with Valley City State University on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.