SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Despite a combined 32 kills from Trinity Freeman, the Oral Roberts volleyball team (2-10) concluded their non-conference slate with a pair of losses at the UIW Cardinal Classic Friday in San Antonio, Texas. The Golden Eagles fell in straight sets to UTSA (7-4) in their first match before dropping the nightcap in four sets to host Incarnate Word (8-4). 

Freeman topped ORU in kills in both matches as the junior registered 11 and a career-high 21, respectively. The Phoenix, Arizona, native's career-best 21 kills came on 53 swings with only three errors for a .340 hitting percentage. Freeman also racked up 12 digs in the match against Incarnate Word for her third double-double of the season. 

Freshman Hannah Jackson put together another strong performance in the nightcap as she downed a season-best 15 kills against the Cardinals. The Carrollton, Texas, native is now up to 23 kills on the year, all of which have come in the last three matches.

At the net, Natassia Baptiste combined for 11 kills and eight blocks in the two matches. In the contest against UTSA, Baptiste logged a season-best five blocks. 

Setter Kalena Vaivai paced the Golden Eagle attack in the two matches as the senior dished out 20 and 44 assists, respectively. The 44 assists were a season-high for the Wailuku, Hawaii, native. Vaivai also added five kills, four blocks and 11 digs in the two matches. 

On the backrow, libero Breanna Rivas led the way for ORU as the junior scooped up eight and a career-high 26 digs, respectively. The Albuquerque, New Mexico, native also tallied a combined five service aces on the day. 

Match Notes

• Freeman has now reached double-figure kills in five straight matches.
• The junior has led ORU in kills in 10 of the 12 matches this season.
• Freeman's 20-plus kill performance was the second of her career.
• The double-double marked the sixth of her career.
• Vaivai recorded 40-plus assists for the second time in her ORU career.
• Rivas totaled 20-plus digs for the first time this season and fourth time in her career.
• As a team, the Golden Eagles set a season-high in kills (52) and assists (51) against Incarnate Word.

Up Next
ORU returns home to the Mabee Center for its 2023 home opener on Thursday, September 21 against North Dakota State at 7 p.m.
 
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