Box Score

Norman, Okla. -- The Oral Roberts University volleyball team beat in-state rival Oklahoma in three straight games today (30-24, 30-21, 30-28) in Norman, Okla.

A large part of the Golden Eagle victory tonight was the defense of libero Becky Dreher, who had 20 digs. Patricia Menezes led ORU with 12 kills, while Ivana Placko added 10. Anna Moreno had 37 set assists in the match.

In the first game ORU jumped to an early 9-2 lead and led by as many as 10 points, 20-10. The Sooners pulled to within five, 29-24, before the Golden Eagles put them away 30-24.

The second game started more competitively, as Oklahoma stayed tied with ORU until six points into the game. Two consecutive kills by Menezes and a service ace by Moreno gave the Golden Eagles a 20-13 lead. A kill by Placko ended the second game 30-21.

ORU struggled early in game three, at one point trailing 12-11. A kill by Menezes and a service ace by Placko gave ORU the lead again, 13-12. Although the Golden Eagles relinquished their lead late in the game when the Sooners pulled ahead 27-26, the Golden Eagles would not be denied the three-game sweep, winning the final game 30-28 on a kill by April Syko.

The ORU volleyball team is back in action this weekend as they face Arkansas, No. 17 Colorado State and Louisville at the University of Arkansas Morning News Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas and Louisville both received AVCA top 25 votes this week. ORU opens the tournament against Arkansas on Friday at 7 p.m.

Other Notables: ORU has an all-time series record of 25-17 against Oklahoma. ORU has not lost to OU since 1994. ORU has an all-time record of 168-42 (105-27 Division I) against in-state foes. Menezes moved into third place on the ORU career charts in kill attempts. Her 30 attempts on the night give her 2,897 for her career.