The Basics
Score: Denver 3 – Oral Roberts 0
Records: DU (19-3, 10-2 SL) – ORU (14-8, 8-5 SL)
Box Score
Location: Cooper Aerobics Center (Tulsa, Okla.)
 
TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts volleyball team suffered a straight-set loss at home against Denver (21-25, 22-25, 22-25) Monday night from Cooper Aerobics Center.
 
Despite out-hitting the Pioneers in the opening set, the Golden Eagles could not break through and were always playing from behind. DU jumped to a 7-2 lead before the home side battled back to even the frame on a 5-0 run with kills from Kaia Dunford and Aixa Vigil. After another tie score at 11-11, the Pioneers used a 7-3 burst to take control and held on to win the frame, 25-21.
 
ORU looked to turn the momentum in the second set racing out to a 12-6 advantage as Sakira LaCour found the floor to cap a 4-0 run. The Golden Eagles maintained a three-point cushion, 17-14, after consecutive DU errors. The visitors responded by scoring five of the next six points and extended the run to 7-2 for a 21-19 lead. Late kills from Dunford and LaCour were not enough as the Pioneers closed the set, 25-22.
 
It was all Golden Eagles beginning the third set as Trinity Freeman put away a pair of kills and LaCour joined Dunford on a block pushing the advantage to 6-1. DU came out of its timeout and tallied three-straight points to close the gap and moved in front, 10-9. A block from Bryanne Soares and LaCour pulled ORU even, 11-11, but another big run from the Pioneers moved them in front, 17-13. The Golden Eagles fought off two match points against before ultimately falling, 25-22.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Vigil was the only ORU player to reach double-digit kills as the senior posted 10 behind a .304 hitting percentage. Five of her kills came on just eight swings in the first set.
• LaCour added nine kills for the offense hitting at a .421 clip and had three block assists.
• Wakley paced the Golden Eagles at the net recording five block assists
• Soares ended the night with 28 set assists, eight digs and three kills.
• For the first time in her career, Breanna Rivas led the team in digs totaling 10.

 
Up Next
The Golden Eagles are back in action at home Saturday afternoon hosting the Roos of Kansas City at 1 p.m. live on the ORU Sports Network.
 
For the latest information on ORU Volleyball, follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or go to www.ORUAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the ORU Athletics app from the App Store or Google Play Store.