ROCHESTER, Mich. — Despite a gritty battle at the net, Oakland Volleyball (5-15, 5-3 HL) fell in four sets (27-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-22) to Green Bay (7-12, 6-2 HL) in Horizon League action on Friday night in the OU Credit Union O'rena. Oakland recorded 59 kills in four games, led by outside hitter Molly Reck who picked up a career-high 16 kills from the left.

Outside hitter Libby Smith led Oakland with 17 kills across 50 attempts, finishing with a .240 hitting percentage. Setter Delaney Stern facilitated the 5-1 offense by recording 46 assists and added 14 digs for another double-double. Libero Lyse Bates was solid in the back row, collecting 21 digs, while middle blocker Grace Cooney played both sides of the ball adding in seven kills and three total blocks in the front.

Oakland started the first set with steady play, highlighted by defensive specialist Kalli Cook's two service aces contributing to an early lead. Stern and Cooney also added key kills, helping Oakland maintain a competitive pace against Green Bay. Midway through the set, Oakland managed to climb ahead, utilizing defense to capitalize on the Phoenix's errors. However, the visitors responded with a strong offensive push led by Gillian Koning, who delivered multiple kills, allowing them to level out. The set remained tight as both teams exchanged points up to a 24-24 tie. Smith provided a cross-court kill to give Oakland a set point, but Green Bay edged ahead in extra points.

The second frame began with the Phoenix taking an early lead, before Oakland responded with a kill by middle blocker Ellen Zapp to level the score. The teams exchanged points, keeping the score close, with opposite hitter Caroline Moore and Smith contributing kills from both corners of the net. Midway through the set, Oakland managed to tie the score at 7-7 after a block by Moore and Zapp. As the set progressed, Green Bay pulled slightly ahead, but Oakland kept the pressure on with Reck and Smith delivering from the front row. A late service ace by Zapp pushed Oakland into a two-point lead at 22-20. Despite the Phoenix's efforts to reclaim the lead, Oakland maintained momentum, with Cooney and Reck securing points and the Golden Grizzlies' .317 hitting clip in the set lead to a 26-24 game to tie the match.

OU began the third set with a strong start, as Reck contributed three back-to-back-to-back kills early on, pushing the home team to a 5-1 lead. Cooney and Smith added in points, helping Oakland maintain a four-point edge. Despite some errors, the Golden Grizzlies managed to stay ahead and keep the score at 13-11. As the set progressed, momentum shifted, with the Phoenix tying the score at 13-13. Smith's kill momentarily restored Oakland's lead, but GB's successful serving brought them back into contention. The set saw a back-and-forth battle, with Oakland briefly regaining a 19-16 advantage after Green Bay errors. In the closing phase, both teams exchanged points, but the Phoenix capitalized on a late push and took the frame.

Early contributions came from Reck and Cooney to start the fourth set, each securing key kills to keep the score level at 3-3. However, Green Bay responded with a series of successful points, allowing them to edge ahead. Despite the challenges, Oakland remained competitive. Smith and opposite hitter Ella Schomer contributed with kills, and another service ace off the hand of Zapp brought Oakland within striking distance at 21-16. A 5-1 surge, highlighted by another kill from Smith, narrowed the gap to 23-21, but the Phoenix ultimately decided the match.

The Golden Grizzlies and the Phoenix are back inside the OU Credit Union O'rena for round two of the series, tomorrow October 18 at 2 p.m. The action from the Blacktop is available to stream on ESPN+.


How to Follow Oakland Volleyball: For complete information on Oakland Volleyball, follow the team on X at @OaklandWVB and head coach Krista Rice at @KKg1007. The team is also on Instagram.