ROCHESTER, Mich. — A 20-kill performance by
Jamie Walling powered the Oakland University volleyball program past the Green Bay Phoenix in four sets (22-25, 25-14, 25-17, 25-22) Monday evening inside the Athletics Center O'rena. The Golden Grizzlies improved to 4-3 in Horizon League play with the home victory.
Walling led OU with a match-best 20 kills in just 39 tries, good for a season-high .487 hitting percentage. The senior standout added five blocks and two digs in the contest. The trio of
Jessica Riedl (eight kills),
Brittany Welch (five kills), and
Kerra Cornist (five kills) also contributed to the Oakland attack.
AnnaBelle Tomei and
Madison Ross each recorded double-doubles to pace the OU setters. Tomei had 22 assists and 12 digs, while Ross notched 13 assists and 10 digs.
Defensively,
Lindsay Wightman compiled a match-high 26 digs, which marked the fifth time this season she has finished with 25 or more in the category.
Haley Brown and Welch rounded out Golden Grizzlies in double-figure digs with 11 and 10, respectively.
As a team, Oakland proved its efficiency on the serve and against the attack. OU recorded 10-plus service aces in a match for the second time this season, as five different players recorded two aces. Meanwhile, the Golden Grizzlies held the Phoenix (3-6 HL) to a .129 hitting clip and finished with 8.0 blocks. Walling and Cornist controlled the net with five blocks apiece.
Oakland came out firing in the first set, as its lead grew to 9-2 following an attack error by Green Bay. However, the Golden Grizzlies found themselves behind 15-14, as the Phoenix scored 13 of the next 17 points. GB managed to hold the advantage to win the opening set, 25-22.
OU raced out to a commanding 17-4 advantage in the second set that proved insurmountable.
Brittany Welch clinched a 25-14 set win with her second kill of the frame. Walling found a rhythm with five kills in the set.
Similar to the opening two sets, Oakland jumped out to a 9-2 lead. The Golden Grizzlies extended their lead to double digits, 15-5, after a kill by Walling. OU cruised the rest of the way to a 25-17 win. Walling's hot streak continued in the third set, as she finished with seven kills at a .462 hitting clip. Cornist tallied three of her five blocks in the set as well.
OU held the lead for the entirety of the frame, but the Phoenix inched within one, 19-18. The Golden Grizzlies responded with four unanswered points and held on for the match-deciding set victory.
Oakland will return to the blacktop tomorrow, February 23, for the series closer against Green Bay. First serve is set for 5 p.m. on ESPN3.
#GrizzVision with Rob Beam
