SURPRISE, Ariz. - The No. 1 OUAZ Men's Volleyball team opened their season with a thrilling win over Benedictine Mesa, playing out a full five. Beginning the game with two dropped sets (20-25, 22-25), the Spirit came back swinging, winning the final three sets 25-20, 25-22, 15-10. 

Though back and forth, the Spirit were continuing to shake off the early-season rust, falling to the Redhawks in the first two sets. Despite the loss, OUAZ kept them on their toes only allowing a 5-point differential on one occasion, with the majority of the two being a difference of 1-2 points.

Despite being outscored 71 points to 66, the Spirit soared in the final three sets. Averaging 15 kills in sets two and three and picking up another five in the match decider, No. 1 team was able to get a leg up on the opponent taking the final sets in the points category. 

Overall, Ottawa came out with one more kill than their opponents, going 57-56 on the night, with five players scoring more than one and three going into double digits. Emery Outin was the catalyst with 18 total kills and 34, leading both teams in each category.

Quaid King and Addah Nestor also tallied double-digit kills for the Spirit, Quaid with 15 and Nestor with 12. There were 32 times in the match when the score was tied and 13 lead changes all together.

Match Leaders
Kills: Emery Outin - 18
Assists: Tyler Gardenhire - 40
Digs: Tatum Gray - 10
Blocks: Michail Kagialis – 2

Up Next
for OUAZ Volleyball is Saint Katherine, when they play in Encinitas, California on Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. MST.