Fairborn, Oh. - After a season full of highs and lows, Oakland ends an incredible season at the hands of Northern Kentucky, in three sets.

Last time the two teams played, Oakland made a sensational comeback on the Blacktop, rallying from two sets down to eek out a victory on Oct. 27.

Set number one of this Friday's match was as-high octane of a set as you'll see. With the game neck-and-neck for most of the first points, Oakland was able to create small separation with a four point lead (14-10). With the momentum shifting their way, Oakland exploded on an 11-0 run, stamped by back-to-back kills by Gentry Brown, to take a 21-14 lead.

Backed up against the wall, the Norse fought back, stringing together their own 5-0 run, all set up by NKU's floor general Lillian Leiner. NKU found an attacking groove, and for the rest of the set scored two points for every one scored by Oakland. 

With the set headed to advantage point after being tied at 25, a few costly errors by Oakland buried their hopes of winning the first set, dropping the set 28-26 in a nail-biter to start the night. 

In set number two, Oakland once again jumped out to an early lead, as NKU now made error after error. However, as the set went on, NKU became the aggressor as Joy Banks and Abby Kanakry propelled the Norse into the lead, combining for 11 kills in the second set, including the set-winning point as they took the second set 25-21.

Oakland's offense seemed to be sputtering in the second set. Ainsley Guse lead with three kills in the set for the Golden Grizzlies, and despite manufacturing points, Oakland couldn't find the rhythm they played with for most of the season.

With set number three imminent, Oakland looked to replicate their Oct. 27 miracle in the third set.

Battling uphill, Oakland continued to play behind the strong play of Guse, who lead the team in kills (12) on the night. Brown, who pitched in eight kills throughout play, combined with Guse to surge Oakland's attack in the third set as Oakland took a small 11-10 lead. But just as they did all night, NKU found the right moment to seize the momentum, using a game-ending 6-0 run to hold off the Golden Grizzlies and win the final set 17-25.

"Any season-ending loss is really hard to stomach. I do want to emphasize how proud of our team we were... I think NKU played a really steady game," said Oakland Head Coach Krista Rice. "I though our good was incredibly strong and solid. We had a couple great leads, but we had too many moments where our execution broke down and didn't allow us to come out on top tonight."

Despite the loss, Oakland had spots of brightness in a match where all three sets ended in close scores. Emily Wichmann ended the match with 21 digs. Senior phenom Patti Cesarini was all over the court, finishing with four kills, a block, and seven digs. Sarah Turner and Rachel Rossman both did amazing setting up the offense, combining for 26 assists.

Oakland ends the season with a 17-14 record, and will no doubt revamp and come back with a vengance in the 2024 season.