SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Ottawa University men's volleyball team fell 3-1; 25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 25-17; to Morningside University in its GPAC opener on Wednesday evening at the RVSC-Allee Gym. The loss breaks OU's three match winning streak against the Mustangs.

How it Happened

• Two straight service aces by Kayden Kirby gave the Braves a 6-4 lead over Morningside in set one. The Mustangs scored the next six points, taking a 10-6 lead over the Braves. OU cut into the Morningside lead and after kills by Kadeem Morris and a MU service ace, Ottawa was within 12-11. That is the closest the Braves would get to the Mustangs. Morningside went on an 8-1 run to take a 20-12 lead over OU. The Braves were not able to rally and MU won the set, 25-21.
• The start of set two went back and forth. A Mustang service error tied the set, 10-10. Morningside retook the lead, scoring the next three points to take a 13-10 lead over the Braves. Ottawa did not go away and rallied, tying the set at 14 all on a Grant Younie kill. Morningside scored the next five points, taking a 19-14 lead. Ottawa again rallied. A kill by Mascort Pickup, a service ace by Younie, and a MU attacking error put OU within 20-19. The Braves were not able to complete the comeback, falling to Morningside 25-22.
• A block and a kill by Pickup and a Kirby service ace gave the Braves a 10-7 lead over Morningside in set three. The Braves extended their lead to 14-9 after a Morris kill and an Anthony Calderon service ace. Ottawa increased their lead over Morningside, 21-11, on a Younie kill. Morningside was not able to stage a comeback and OU took the 25-18 victory.
• Ottawa fell behind 4-0 at the start of set four. A kill by Akeil Williams and two Morningside miscues cut the deficit to 4-3. The Mustangs increased its lead to 11-7 but OU rallied and was within 14-13 of Morningside after a block by Kirby and Williams. Morningside responded with a 7-1 run, taking a 21-14 lead over OU. Ottawa was not able to overcome that last run by the Mustangs and Morningside took the 25-17 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa finished the four set match with 32 kills, a .098 attacking percentage, 30 assists, 12 service aces, 44 digs, and 10 team blocks.
• Grant Younie led OU with 11 kills.
• Andrew Salinas had 15 assists and Kayden Kirby finished with 14.
• Akeil Williams led the Braves with 10 digs.
• Kadeem Morris finished with five blocks.

Who is Next
Ottawa (1-3, 0-1) returns to the road on Friday, Feb. 3 in Salina, Kan. against Kansas Wesleyan University. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.