SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Ottawa University in Arizona women's volleyball team defeated the University of the Southwest on Friday evening by a final of 3-2 inside of the Valley Vista High School Gym in Surprise. Final scores were: 25-27, 25-18, 25-18, 20-25, and 15-9.
"There were some definite nerves going into the match, but that is expected for the first home match" said OUAZ head women's volleyball coach Kristin Steele. "I was pleased with the way we fought back after losing the fourth set. It was difficult to get any momentum in the match and the players mostly did a good job of keeping their focus."
The first game of the match was a struggle for momentum and supremacy. Both teams went back and forth, testing defenses and finding their rhythm, ending the game with a win 27-25 to the University of the Southwest. Games two and three, the Spirit found their stride and defeated the Mustangs in both games 25-18; forcing the match into game four. The University of the Southwest Mustangs pushed back in game four earning the match, 25-20. In the fifth set, the Mustangs took the lead, but after a rotation violation, the Spirit grabbed the momentum, caught up and advanced on the Mustangs to win the final set and the match 15-9.
The Spirit served tough leading the game with eight serving aces to five. Ace leaders for the match were, OUAZ's Melissa Pignatiello (FR/Peoria, AZ) and UoSW's Miranda Tapia; with three each. OUAZ's Carlee Beck(SO/Des Moines, Iowa) led the game and her team with 13 kills and just behind her was Ashley Preuss and Shelby Bartley from UoSW, with 10 kills each. OUAZ's Olivia Kovacs (JR/Puyallup, WA) led the game with 18 digs, while UoSW's Aimee Molina finished with 17 digs. OUAZ's Amanda Wick (FR/Glendale, AZ) led with four blocks in the match.
The Spirit return to action this Friday, when they travel across town to Arizona Christian University to take part in the Firestorm Labor Day Invitational. OUAZ will face the University of Antelope Valley this Friday, September 1st at 1pm.
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About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 3,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu..
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.
