Volleyball Suffers Senior Day Defeat :: Senior Megan O'Connell collects 15 kills in final home match.

	">Printer-Friendly Format ">E-mail this article Senior outside hitter Megan O'Connell killed 15 balls in her final home match as a Sooner.

Volleyball Suffers Senior Day Defeat

Senior Megan O'Connell collects 15 kills in final home match.

Nov. 23, 2002

Final Stats

NORMAN, Okla. - The Oklahoma volleyball team lost a close battle with Colorado 30-27, 31-29, 30-25, on Senior Day in front of 431 fans at the Howard McCasland Field House. With the loss OU falls to 5-22 on the season and 3-16 in Big 12 play. Colorado improved to 14-14 overall and 8-10 in the Big 12.

"I was very happy to see how hard the team fought," said Mahi. "This team and especially the seniors have set a great example for the fans, the program and the university."

Senior outside hitter Megan O'Connell killed 15 balls and hit .429 (15K-3E-28TA) in her final home match. Freshman libero Tara Birkinbine had 20 digs, setting a new season and career-high. Senior outside hitter Denise Griffin pounded out six kills, while also digging eight balls. Junior Christina Barlow recorded nine kills and 11 digs, despite no playing in the first game of the match. Freshman Jennifer Mosso recorded 5 block assists.

OU had season-highs in total attacks (132) and digs (60) for a three game match. Senior setter Jessica Barney assisted on 41 kills, a season high for a three game match. Oklahoma's team mark of 46 assists was also a season-high.

"This is going to be a significant loss for our program," said OU Head Coach Kalani Mahi. "Obviously when you lose four players you're going to lose stats. It will especially hurt us on the defensive end. Were also losing two captains and four leaders. They knew how to handle the stress of the Big 12 and had those intangible qualities you hope to see in your veterans. We are sad to see them go and it was a very emotional day for all involved."

Colorado was led by Monique Gerlach who had 11 kills from the middle blocker position. Kim Taskey and Sara Fredrickson collected 11 and 10 digs a piece for the Buffaloes.

Oklahoma finishes the 2002 season Nov. 30, at Baylor in a 7 p.m. matchup.