Sept. 20, 2013

Box Score

DEKALB, Ill. - Amanda Baker recorded an amazing career high 21 kills for a whopping .476 hitting percentage and Taylor Humm earned a double-double with 13 kills and 16 digs as Oakland (6-7) lost in five sets to ex-Summit League opponent, Western Illinois (6-9) on Friday night. The Golden Grizzlies fell with set scores of 25-23, 19-25, 23-25, 25-21 and 12-15.

"I give Western Illinois a ton of credit," said head coach, Rob Beam. "They out-executed us and were able to control the flow of play. When we were clean on our side, we were effective, but we were not able to sustain that for long enough tonight. Amanda was outstanding tonight and I want to congratulate her on her first 20-kill performance. Her hard work has payed off and our setters did a great job of getting her the ball."

Baker and Humm also added six blocks apiece for the Grizzlies and Ciara Schultz added a team-high 31 assists and two service aces. Mary Grassano contributed 19 digs, while Alissa Valentine earned 16 in the loss. As a team, the Golden Grizzlies out-hit the Leathernecks, .217 to .194 but could not come up with the desired result.

The two teams battled right from the start in true rivalry fashion as Oakland took a very close first set, 25-23. In the second set, Western Illinois would get the equalizer with a final set score of 25-19 after hitting .302 as a team for the clear offensive advantage.

For the third set of the match, the Leathernecks jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, leading the Grizzlies by as many as six when the score was 14-8 mid-set. Western Illinois held on for the 25-23 victory, making the match score 2-1. OU looked to stay alive in the fourth set and did just that, though the teams did trade possession and leads multiple times. Oakland was able to pull away in the end with the 25-21 set victory.

In the final set of the match, the Grizzlies held a 4-2 lead at the start of the set but lost control after an attack error by Humm and two Leatherneck service aces. Though OU tried to keep the score close in pursuit of a win, Western Illinois prevailed in the end, 15-12 for the overall 3-2 result.

Oakland plays its last game of the Huskie Invitational Saturday at noon.

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