KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Ottawa University battled Avila University throughout the match on Wednesday night at Mabee Fieldhouse, fell to the Eagles, 28-26, 25-23, 25-18.
Set One
The Braves and Eagles traded runs throughout a back-and-forth opening set. Ottawa fell behind 6-2 before battling back, eventually taking a 17-16 lead on a
Zoey Huerta kill assisted by
Makela Martinez.
Ottawa extended the advantage to 18-16 after
Kira Cherry connected on a kill from
Carson Schuman. Avila answered, but the Braves continued to fight, reaching set point at 24-22. The Eagles erased the deficit and the teams exchanged points deep into extra points before Avila closed out the set, 28-26.
Set Two
Avila jumped out to a 5-1 lead before Ottawa began chipping away. The Braves tied the set at 8-8 following consecutive kills from
Zoey Huerta.
Ottawa continued to battle and pulled within one at 15-16 before a
Madison Brauner service ace and
Campbell Stark kill helped the Braves make it a 15-16 set. Ottawa later cut Avila's lead to 21-23 and 22-24, but the Eagles held on for the 25-23 victory.
Set Three
The Braves took an early 8-6 lead in the third set following a block involving
Zoey Huerta and
Bailee Nickel. Avila responded with a 7-1 run to take a 13-9 advantage.
Ottawa continued to battle, pulling within 17-21 and 18-23 late in the set. Avila closed the match with the final two points to win the third set, 25-18.
Statistical Breakdown
- Bailee Nickel led Ottawa with 10 kills, 19 digs and 11.5 points.
- Campbell Stark was highly efficient offensively, recording seven kills without an error on 12 attacks for a .583 hitting percentage.
- Kira Cherry finished with eight kills, three block assists and 9.5 points.
- Zoey Huerta contributed five kills and a team-high five block assists.
- Ciara Gray added four kills, two block assists and one solo block.
- Makela Martinez directed the Ottawa offense with 14 assists and added 14 digs.
- Madison Brauner recorded 16 assists, two service aces and three digs.
- Carson Schuman finished with 18 digs.
- Ottawa collected 68 digs as a team and finished with 18 block assists.
- The Braves hit .150 for the match, including .163 in Set 1 and .184 in Set 2.
- Avila finished with 48 kills on 140 attacks (.243) and 68 digs. Megan Davies led the Eagles with 16 kills, while Maddie Jones added 13 and Bryleigh Martin had 10.
Who is Next
Ottawa (5-8, 2-1) returns to the court on Saturday, Oct. 3 against no. 5 McPherson College in McPherson, Kan. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.
