PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Ottawa University in Arizona women's volleyball team fell to Arizona Christian University on Wednesday evening by a final of 3-0 at Fultz Memorial Gymnasium. Final scores were: 25-20, 25-14, and 25-20.
With the loss, the Spirit fall to 1-2 overall on the season. With the victory, Arizona Christian University improves to 7-2 overall.
Wednesday's match got off to a rough start for OUAZ, as before play even began the Spirit lost one of their two starting setters due to a jammed finger. Then within the first few plays of the match, their starting libero went down with an injury. With those blows to their offense and defense, the Spirit were still able to fight through the first match, before falling 25-20.
In game two, the loss of Breelle Lugo (SO/Tempe, AZ) and Olivia Kovacs (JR/Puyallup, WA) was felt enormously. The Firestorm were able to get off to a 10-0 run, before the Spirit could make a move. To OUAZ's compliment, the team didn't fold. At 20-9 the Spirit hung with the Firestorm to finish the game 25-14; scoring point-for-point. Arizona Christian then finished the Spirit off for good, with a third set victory of 25-20.
Carlee Beck (SO/Des Moines, Iowa) led OUAZ and tied with ACU's Jackie Stein for eight kills on the night. Deauna Johnson (JR/Lakewood, WA) led the match with 11 digs and Nicole Newman (FR/Avondale, AZ) picked up two blocks for the match. Melissa Pignatiello (FR/Peoria, AZ) ran a 5-1 offense for the match and handled 25 assists.
The Spirit travel this weekend to Life Pacific College in San Dimas, California for the Life Pacific Classic Tournament on September 8th and 9th. OUAZ's first match starts at 10:30am vs SAGU American Indian College on Friday.
#
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.
