TULSA, Okla. �€" The Oral Roberts University
volleyball team saw its comeback bid fall just short as the Golden
Eagles fell to Western Illinois, 3-2 (33-31, 22-30, 33-31, 19-30,
15-11), in Mid-Continent Conference Action on Friday night at the
Cooper Aerobics Center.
Outside hitter Ori Zuzic (Proec, Croatia) led all
players with 22 kills, while adding 16 digs and eight service aces,
but it just wasn't enough for ORU (7-7, 1-1). Despite holding an
81-71 advantage in kills, the Golden Eagles saw late leads
disappear in games one and three as the Westerwinds (6-9, 2-1) won
for the first time ever at ORU.
Western Illinois out-hit the Golden Eagles .270 to .243 for the
match, including a decisive .400 to .071 advantage in the match
deciding game five.
Rightside hitter Jackie Oliveira (Minas Gerais,
Brazil) added 19 kills and 18 digs for ORU, while outside hitter
Danijela Novakovic (Rijeka, Croatia) chipped in
with a career-high 13 kills.
Ashley Baker was one of four Westerwinds to register double-digit
kills, as she finished the match with 18 markers and 14 digs.
Teammate Amy Sauerwein added 10 kills and a match-high 19 digs.
The Golden Eagles will be back in action Saturday night as they
host UMKC in another Mid-Con match. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
and admission is free.
--ORU--
