OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's volleyball team split its opening day matches in Wilson Field House on Friday. The Braves fell 3-0; 25-23, 25-16, 25-19 to nationally ranked Missouri Valley College but bounced back to take a 3-2; 27-25, 22-25, 14-25, 25-20, 15-12; win over Westcliff University.
Versus (RV) Missouri Valley College
- Missouri Valley took an early 11-7 lead over the Braves in set one. Ottawa rallied and after two Viking miscues, Ottawa was within 15-13. Missouri Valley went on a run and increased its lead to 21-15 over the Braves. The Braves rallied, tying the match at 23 all on a block by Akeil Williams. The Vikings answered by scoring the next two points to take the set, 25-23.
- In set two, Missouri Valley scored the first five points to take the early lead. The Braves were not able to rebound from their slow start and Missouri Valley took the 25-16 victory.
- A service ace by Anthony Calderon and a MVC service error gave OU a 3-1 lead at the start of set no. 3. Missouri Valley responded by scoring five points to take a 6-3 lead over OU. The Braves cut the Viking lead to one on a Kayden Kirby kill and a MVC attacking error, 6-5. Missouri Valley answered with another run and had a 12-7 lead over the Braves. OU was not able to cut into the Viking lead and Missouri Valley took the 25-19 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- The Braves finished the match with 19 kills, a .109 attacking percentage, 16 assists, four service aces, 23 digs, and 7.5 team blocks.
- Akeil Williams led OU with seven kills and five blocks
- Andrew Salinas had 11 assists.
- Anthony Calderon led the Braves with two service aces.
- Kayden Kirby finished the match with seven digs.
Versus Westcliff University
- Ottawa scored the first three points of set one to take the early lead. Kills by Trevan Johnson and a block from Akeil Williams gave OU a 12-5 lead over the Warriors. Westcliff did not go away and rallied to tie the set at 24 all. A service error by Westcliff and a bad set by OU tied the contest at 25-25. Ottawa closed out the set by scoring the next two points, two Warrior attacking errors, to take the 27-25 victory.
- Set two went back and forth and was tied 12 all on a Williams kill. Westcliff scored the next five points, taking a 17-12 lead over OU. Ottawa tried to rally and was within two points, 24-22, after a Westcliff attacking error. The Warriors scored the next point in the set on a Brave attacking error to take the 25-22 victory.
- Ottawa got off to a slow start in set three, finding themselves down 14-7 to Westcliff. OU was not able to recover from its slow start and Westcliff took the 25-14 victory.
- In set no. 4, the Braves raced out to a 7-1 lead over Westcliff. The Warriors responded, rallying to take a 12-10 lead over the Braves. Ottawa answered by scoring the next three points, taking a 13-12 lead over the Warriors. Ottawa extended its lead over Westcliff to 20-14 after a block by Williams and Kirby. Westcliff was not able to stage a comeback and the Braves took the 25-20 victory.
- Ottawa, behind the play of Williams, scored the first five points of set five. A kill by Williams and a Warrior attacking error gave OU a 7-2 lead over Westcliff. The Warriors tried to rally and were within 14-12 of OU. Williams ended the match for the Braves with his 21st kill of the contest, giving OU the 15-12 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- In the five set match, Ottawa had 44 kills, a 0.076 attacking percentage, 41 assists, three service aces, 51 digs, and nine team blocks.
- Akeil Williams finished with a double-double. He had 21 kills and 13 digs. Williams also had seven blocks and a .500 attacking percentage.
- Andrew Salinas led OU with 23 assists and Kayden Kirby finished with 14.
- Anthony Calderon led OU with two service aces and he had 10 digs.
Who is Next
Ottawa (1-1) will host no. 13 Missouri Baptist University in Wilson Field House on Saturday, Jan. 28. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
