ROCHESTER, Mich. — The Oakland University volleyball program rallied to a five-set triumph over Green Bay (25-14, 27-29, 14-25, 25-14, 15-5) on Sunday afternoon at the Athletics Center O'rena. The Golden Grizzlies won the final two sets to clinch their second-straight home victory.  

As a team, OU (11-7, 5-2 HL) hit .333 with 58 kills and just 13 errors. Graduate senior Jamie Walling and redshirt freshman Patti Cesarini tallied a match-leading 17 kills apiece, while senior Jessica Riedl had 11 kills on 16 swings (.625 hitting percentage). A pair of junior setters in AnnaBelle Tomei and Madison Ross helped out with assist totals of 28 and 19, respectively. To add, Ross notched five kills on seven tries, good for a .714 striking rate. 

Oakland also experienced success in the serve with seven aces. Freshman Emily Wichmann led the way with a career-best three aces, and Walling was close behind with two of her own. Defensively, fifth-year senior Lindsay Wightman collected 21 digs, the ninth time this season, she has reached 20 or more in the category. Junior Haley Brown contributed with 12 digs. 

The Golden Grizzlies claimed the opening set in commanding fashion, 25-14. OU went on a 6-0 run to increase its lead to 21-11, which proved to be the difference-maker. OU hit .467 in the period with 17 kills compared to a mere three errors. 

Green Bay (8-11, 3-4 HL) responded with consecutive set victories. The Phoenix took a back-and-forth second set 29-27 and prevailed 25-14 in set three.

Down two sets to one, the Golden Grizzlies answered back with a 25-14 victory in the fourth period. Oakland took a 9-4 advantage with a 5-0 spurt and led the rest of the way. Walling was at her best in the set with eight kills in nine tries (.889 hitting percentage). Meanwhile, the Phoenix had nine kills and a .029 hitting percentage. 

In the match-deciding fifth set, OU raced out to an 8-0 lead with Wichmann serving. The deficit was too much for Green Bay to overcome, as the Golden Grizzlies finished on top, 15-5. 

Oakland will return to the court on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at IUPUI. First serve is set for 6 p.m.