McPHERSON, Kan. — The Ottawa University women's volleyball team fell to no. 5 McPherson College in three sets, 25-6, 25-12, 25-20, on Saturday evening.
Set One:
McPherson jumped out to a quick advantage, scoring the first four points before a service error put Ottawa on the board. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 12-1 before the Braves picked up their second point on a McPherson attack error.
Una Grbic gave Ottawa its first kill of the set to make the score 15-4. Grbic added another kill later in the set, but the Braves were unable to overcome the early deficit as McPherson took the opener, 25-6.
Ottawa was held to two kills in the opening set and hit -.321, while McPherson finished with 12 kills and a .435 attacking percentage.
Set Two:
The Braves' offense improved in the second set.
Tymerian Carrathus recorded Ottawa's first kill to tie the set at 1-1, and
Kira Cherry and
Bailee Nickel helped the Braves stay within striking distance early.
Cherry had kills that made the score 6-2, 12-6 and 13-7, while Nickel recorded kills at 8-3 and 9-4. Ottawa later put together back-to-back points on a McPherson attack error and a Carrathus kill to make it 20-11. Carrathus added another kill at 22-12 before the Bulldogs scored the final three points for a 25-12 victory.
Ottawa finished the second set with 10 kills and improved its hitting percentage to .051.
Set Three:
Ottawa played its best volleyball of the match in the third set. The Braves took their first lead of the night on a McPherson attack error and later tied the score at 4-4 on
Madison Brauner's service ace.
The Braves continued to battle, pulling within 14-13 on a Grbic kill before tying the set at 14-14 on another Bulldog attack error. Nickel's kill tied the score again at 15-15, and Ottawa grabbed a 17-16 advantage behind another Nickel kill.
McPherson answered to regain the lead, but Ottawa stayed close. Cherry's kill made it 20-19, and Grbic followed with a kill to pull the Braves within one again at 21-20. The Bulldogs, however, closed the match with four straight points to take the set, 25-20, and complete the sweep.
Statistical Breakdown
- Bailee Nickel led the Braves with eight kills and added eight digs and a block assist.
- Una Grbic finished with seven kills, one service ace and a solo block.
- Kira Cherry recorded five kills on 18 attacks.
- Tymerian Carrathus had three kills without an attack error, hitting a team-best .273.
- Makela Martinez led Ottawa with 12 assists and added four digs, while Madison Brauner finished with seven assists, six digs and Ottawa's lone service ace.
- Carson Schuman led the Braves defensively with 11 digs and also had four assists.
- Ottawa finished with 24 kills, 23 assists, 39 digs, one service ace and six total blocks (four solo and four block assists), while McPherson had 45 kills and hit .343.
Who is Next
Ottawa (5-9, 2-2) returns to the court on Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Wilson Field House against Evangel University. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.
