The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 0 – No. 20 Kansas 3
Records: ORU (2-8) – No. 20 Kansas (6-1)
Location: Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena (Lawrence, Kan.)
 
LAWRENCE, Kan.– Despite a third straight double-digit kill performance from Trinity Freeman, the Oral Roberts volleyball team dropped a hard-fought battle at No. 20 Kansas in three sets (15-25, 14-25, 15-25) Tuesday night inside the Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena in Lawrence, Kansas.

Freeman reached double-figure kills for the sixth time this season after leading all players with 11. The junior also added six digs on the night. Freshman Hannah Jackson followed with a season-best five kills on 14 swings for a .286 hitting percentage. 

Setter Kalena Vaivai guided the ORU attack as the senior dished out 21 assists on the night. The Wailuku, Hawaii, native also scooped up eight Jayhawk attacks in the match. On the backrow, libero Breanna Rivas totaled a team-best 10 digs. 

ORU raced out to a 3-0 start in the opening set behind the serving of Alaina Larson, who notched two aces during the run. Following a service error that put the Golden Eagles back in front, 9-8, the Jayhawks rattled off eight of the next nine points to take a 16-10 advantage. KU later used an 8-2 run to close out the opening set, 25-15.

After the Jayhawks jumped out to a 5-2 start in the second, a Freeman and Natassia Baptiste block sparked a 3-1 spurt for ORU as they drew within one, 6-5. KU fired back with a 12-1 run to open its largest lead of the game, 18-6. The run was all the cushion the Jayhawks needed as they took the set, 25-14. Service errors troubled the Golden Eagles in the second as they totaled seven.

After KU built a 12-6 advantage in the third, ORU responded with five of the next seven points to draw within three, 14-11. The Jayhawks answered with a 5-1 run to build their lead up to seven, 19-12. KU went on to score six of the final nine points to finish off the set, 25-15, and the match.

Match Notes

• Freeman led ORU in kills for the eighth time this season.
• The junior has now totaled double-digit kills 37 times in her career.
• Freeman also topped all players with 12.5 points.
• Rivas totaled double-digit digs for the 26th time in her career.
• Jackson totaled a season-best five kills in the match. 
• Larson notched a team-best two service aces.

Up Next
ORU concludes non-conference action at the UIW Cardinal Classic on Friday, September 15.
 
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