MISSOULA, Mont. — The Oakland University volleyball team (0-5) dropped both of their matches in a Friday doubleheader on the first day of the Ellesyn Invitational in Montana. OU fell in three (25-18, 25-17, 25-17) to host Montana (1-3) before being defeated in a four-set battle (25-23, 15-25, 25-15, 25-19) with North Dakota State (4-0) in the late match inside Dahlberg Arena.

Against Montana, the Golden Grizzlies collectively hit .187 with opposite hitter Ella Schomer leading the visiting team with seven kills on 22 attempts, posting a hitting percentage of .273 and adding a block assist. Setter Delaney Stern contributed a strong all-around performance, recording 17 assists while also serving up an ace and digging seven balls. Libero Lyse Bates was active from the back row, tallying eight digs over three sets while also setting up two assists, while outside hitter Molly Reck added to the defensive effort with 10 digs and chipped in with five kills on 19 swings from the net.

In the nightcap, Oakland matched with North Dakota State's five service aces, but only tallied 46 kills and four total blocks to the Bison. Again leading the team, Schomer recorded 12 kills on 28 attempts, finishing with a .357 hitting percentage -- her career-best. Stern contributed with 37 assists, and middle blocker Anika Prisby posted eight kills and tallied three total blocks, adding to the team's offensive and defensive output.


MATCH 1 VS MONTANA
The first set opened with Oakland taking an early lead, capitalizing on a service error by Montana's Delaney Russell at the outset. Schomer and opposite hitter Libby Smith each recorded key kills, contributing to a back-and-forth exchange that saw the score tied multiple times. However, Montana pulled ahead with a 6-0 run following a service ace by Maddie Pyles, maintaining momentum to close out the set 25-18 despite a late push from Oakland led by Stern's service pressure.

The next frame saw a tightly contested battle with both teams trading points early on. Oakland's outside hitter Olivia Rust and Schomer contributed crucial kills, keeping the visitors within reach at 6-6. Stern's service ace briefly pushed Oakland ahead 10-9, but Montana responded with a series of kills from Russell and Mylee Blake, ultimately creating separation. Despite efforts from Reck and opposite hitter Caroline Moore to close the gap, the Grizzlies capitalized on several attack errors and finished the set strong, taking it 25-17.

The closing set began with Oakland showing resilience, as Reck delivered an early service ace to level the score at 1-1. Despite falling behind after a series of errors, Oakland clawed back with notable contributions from Rust and Prisby, each recording key kills. Stern's setting facilitated several offensive opportunities, keeping the team competitive, but Montana capitalized on service errors and an offensive push to secure the set 25-17.


MATCH 2 VS NDSU
Oakland opened the first set with a sequence that saw Rust and Schomer each deliver key kills, helping their team level the score at 3-3. Despite trading points with North Dakota State, Oakland managed to build a narrow advantage thanks to Molly Reck's consistency in capitalizing on errors from the opposition, taking the score to 18-15. Stern played a pivotal role, recording multiple assists throughout the set, but a late push by the Bison with a service ace from Ally Barth shifted the momentum. Despite a valiant effort from Schomer to extend the set, NDSU closed it out 25-23 with a final kill by Emma Tallman.

The Golden Grizzlies began the second set with a commanding performance, swiftly establishing a 3-0 lead, fueled by three consecutive kills from Schomer. After a trading of points, Oakland
picked up their largest scoring run of the season, amassing a 7-0 stretch capped off with an ace from middle blocker Ellen Zapp to extend the lead, 16-11. Stern's consistent setting provided pivotal assists, culminating in Rust's decisive kill to seal the set at 25-15, showcasing a dominant team effort.

The third set began with an Oakland service error, not before Oakland responded back with Rust's kill from Reck's assist to level the score at 1-1. Despite several strong kills by Reck and Schomer, the Bison maintained a lead, bolstered by Lauren Jansen's efficient finishing. Prisby and Rust managed to add points for Oakland, reducing the gap, yet NDSU's effective attacking, particularly from Zoe John and Baily Randall, secured a 25-15 win for the set.

Oakland faced a challenging fourth set against the Bison, highlighted by a promising early 4-0 run, including a service ace from defensive specialist Kiley Gallagher to level the score at 4-4. Despite a series of strategic plays, including strong kills by Prisby and Libby Smith, Oakland found themselves trailing after North Dakota State capitalized on attacking errors to extend their lead. Stern facilitated multiple assists, while middle blocker Grace Cooney's late blocks and kills helped Oakland narrow the gap to 24-19 before the Bison secured the set with a final kill, ending it in their favor.

Looking ahead, Oakland volleyball will compete for their first win tomorrow as they wrap up the weekend in Missoula to face Montana one more time at 2 p.m. ET.

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.