KALAMAZOO, Mich. — On Saturday, DePaul (1-1) edged out the Golden Grizzlies (0-2) in OU's first five-set match (20-25, 17-25, 25-22, 25-16, 15-11) of the season.. Oakland took care of business taking the lead in the first two sets, before the Blue Demons rallied with a strong service game, recording 10 aces, to overcome the deficit and secure the match. Both teams hit the same amount of kills, while the Golden Grizzlies edged their opponent with a collective .165 hitting percentage.

Outside hitter Molly Reck led Oakland with her career first double-digit outing with 14 kills on 49 attempts, hitting .224 while contributing 17 digs and 16.5 points. Opposite hitter Libby Smith followed behind with 13 kills off of a .167 hitting clip. Libero Lyse Bates excelled from the back row with a career-high 24 digs. Starting setter Delaney Stern added depth with 23 assists and 16 digs, while Mya Kattula distributed 19 assists.

Oakland started the first set strong against the Blue Demons, with middle blocker Grace Cooney securing the first point with a kill. Reck and Smith were instrumental in maintaining momentum with key kills, contributing to a 4-0 run that pushed the score to 15-12. Middle blocker Anika Prisby added to the offensive effort, and Oakland sealed the set with a decisive 25-20 victory, capitalizing on a series of errors from DePaul in the closing moments.

The second set began with a strong performance from Cooney, who initiated the scoring with a kill assisted by Stern. OU pulled ahead early, capitalizing on a block by opposite hitter Ella Schomer and Cooney. Stern played a pivotal role, contributing multiple assists from the front as the Golden Grizzlies increased their advantage. Despite a brief rally from DePaul, Oakland maintained control, with Prisby and Reck adding crucial points. The set concluded with a decisive kill by Reck, securing a 25-17 victory for the Black and Gold.

In the next frame, Reck and Smith contributed key kills to keep the score close. Despite a few attack errors, outside hitter Olivia Rust and Smith managed to secure crucial points, bringing the set to a tie. Smith stood out with four kills, while Kattula facilitated multiple plays, leading to a brief lead. However, DePaul capitalized on service aces and errors, eventually pulling ahead and securing the set with a close 25-22 victory.

The fourth set began with DePaul taking an early lead, but Oakland managed to keep pace with a kill from Cooney that tied the score. Despite efforts from Reck and Rust, who both contributed key kills, the Blue Demons extended their lead. At a critical moment, with Oakland trailing, Smith secured a kill to narrow the gap but DePaul capitalized on attacking errors from Oakland and maintained their momentum, concluding the set with a 25-16 victory.

The final set saw Cooney deliver a kill from Stern's assist to open up the scoring. The Blue Demons and Oakland traded points early on, with Reck and Smith contributing key kills to keep the game tight. Despite a strong defensive effort highlighted by a block from Smith and Cooney, the Blue Demons managed to pull ahead, with a standout performance from Katelynn Oxley, who capitalized on errors to stretch the lead. In the closing moments, Smith notched another kill, but DePaul sealed the set and match at 15-11.

The Golden Grizzlies will wrap up their first weekend of the season against Illinois State. OU and the Redbirds will meet tomorrow at 12pm ET in Kalamazoo on the final day of the Western Michigan Tournament.


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.