Oakland netters slam Bowling Green in straight sets
ROCHESTER HILLS – Three days after being swept by IPFW, Oakland University returned to the volleyball court and posted a sweep of its own.
Brittany Holbrook had 12 kills and hit .500 for the match as the Oakland volleyball team posted a 3-0 non-league victory over Bowling Green State University at the Athletics Center O’rena.
The Golden Grizzlies (11-9) hit .279 while holding the Falcons to just a .129 hitting percentage and winning by scores of 25-18, 25-21 and 25-19.
“I am really pleased with the way our team played,” said OU head coach Rob Beam. “I think our team looked relaxed and confident, which is a great thing for us to practice going into a big road conference weekend, especially against two teams that play well at home in front of big crowds. I love seeing us with that mindset going into the weekend.”
After Oakland took an early first-set lead, BGSU rallied to take a 10-8 lead. From that point OU won seven of the next eight points taking a 15-11 lead and never looked back. The Golden Grizzlies hit .355 for the set and never trailed, eventually winning on a kill by Meghan Bray.
The second set started in back-and-forth fashion with Oakland taking the lead for good on a kill by Bray that made it 13-12. Bray finished the night with nine kills, the second most on the OU team. The set concluded when Holbrook and Allison Bell combined to block Paige Penrod for the 25-21.
In the final set, Oakland dominated with defense, holding BGSU to a .000 hitting percentage in the set. Libero Alli Kirk led the Golden Grizzlies with 15 digs, while Taylor Humm added 10 digs. Humm also added seven kills, while Jenna Lange had six and Bell five.
“Coming into the game we saw some advantages that our hitters might be able to exploit,” said Beam. “The setters also did a great job running the offense,”
Ashley Nevelle led OU with 18 assists and Alissa Valentine had 16 assists to keep OU in-system for most of the match. Bell led the OU service game with three aces, while Humm had two aces.
Danielle Tonyan led BGSU with 11 kills, while Kauth had eight kills and hit .438 for the match. Ashley Dunn added 11 digs, while Erica Fullenkamp had 10 digs. Laura Avila added 18 assists.
Oakland will face a tough test when it returns to play on Friday at South Dakota State. The Golden Grizzlies will also face North Dakota State as part of the Summit League weekend.
Category: Campus Clips, Colleges / Other, High School, Oakland University
VOLLEYBALL LINKS:
Clarkston/OAA Volleyball Teams: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/15/elite-eight-clarkston-making-back-to-back-trips-to-quarters-for-first-time/
Lake Orion/OAA Volleyball Teams: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/15/refuse-to-lose-dragons-combine-talent-chemistry-to-make-run-to-elite-eight/
Lake Orion wins first regional since 1988: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/12/lake-orion-captures-first-regional-title-since-1988/
Clarkston knocks out Midland for second straight regional: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/11/clarkston-delivers-chemics-knockout-poison-in-regional-finals/
Volleyball Links: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=volleyball&x=12&y=13
STEPHANIE MARANI: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/10/aotw-mirani-stands-tall-to-give-clarkston-some-net-presence/
State Rankings: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/11/girls-volleyball-state-rankings-%E2%80%94-nov-7/
Oakland nets Summit League berth: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/14/golden-grizzlies-volleyball-nets-summit-league-tournament-berth/
Clarkston trips up Lake Orion for OAA-Red title: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/10/18/when-powers-collide-clarkston-takes-down-lake-orion-for-oaa-red-division-title/