ROCHESTER, Mich. — The Oakland University volleyball team concluded exhibition play with a four-set loss to Ferris State (23-25, 25-21, 25-27, 18-25) Saturday afternoon inside the Athletics Center O'rena.
The Golden Grizzlies emphasized gaining experience in the exhibition, as 15 players received playing time. Several other key individuals on the team were absent due to injury.
Senior
Jessica Riedl led the OU attack with a team-best 14 kills at a .267 hitting clip. She also added three blocks, which tied for a match-high. Sophomore
Patti Cesarini assisted the offense with 10 kills, while fifth-year senior
Jamie Walling tallied nine spikes. Junior
Madison Ross paced the Golden Grizzly setters with 27 assists to go along with one service ace.
Fifth-year senior
Lindsay Wightman anchored the defense with a match-high 29 digs. Redshirt freshman
Kennedy Dolmage was also impressive with 14 digs. The trio of Walling, Ross, and newcomer
Kira Buza tied for second on the team with two blocks apiece.
The Bulldogs held the advantage in kills (59-to-51), assists (55-to-49), blocks (8-to-6), and aces (5-to-1) in the exhibition contest. Meanwhile, Oakland led the match in total digs (85-to-71).
In the opening set, OU held a 9-6 advantage, but Ferris State responded with a 9-0 run to take a 15-9 lead. The six-point deficit was too much for the Golden Grizzlies to overcome, as FSU finished on top, 25-23.
Oakland bounced back with a 25-21 victory in set two. Tied at 16-all, OU managed to take seven of the following nine points to get in front, 23-18. A kill by Walling clinched the set.
The Bulldogs answered back with consecutive set wins to secure the match. A tightly-contested set three featured 15 ties and seven lead changes, but Ferris State totaled three-straight points to earn a 27-25 victory and 2-1 set advantage.
In set four, the momentum continued in the Bulldogs' favor as they jumped out to an early 5-1 lead. Oakland battled back to take a 13-10 edge at the halfway point. However, FSU outscored OU, 15-5, for the remainder of the set.
The Golden Grizzlies will now direct their attention to the Golden Dome Invitational, which will take place from August 27-28 in South Bend, Ind. OU will take on Western Kentucky, Loyola Chicago, and Notre Dame at the season-opening tournament.
