Volleyball Falls In Three To Kansas

NORMAN, Okla. -- The Oklahoma volleyball team dug itself into a hole on Wednesday night at the Howard McCasland Field House and couldn't get out of it in a three game loss to Kansas. KU offense was hitting on all cylinders, which was the main reason the Jayhawks won by scores of 27-30, 28-30, 23-30. OU drops to 9-9 on the season and 1-9 in conference, while KU improves to 12-7 overall and 3-7 in Big 12 play.

The first game was a battle of offenses with OU falling behind by five points early. As usual it came down to hitting percentage and KU was on top with a .289 mark compared to OU's .257. KU's offensive efficiency was the prime factor in the outcome, especially considering the Sooners outdid the Jayhawks in every defensive category.

Box Score

The second game also went to KU and the cause was pretty cut and dry again. KU opened up another five point lead and held on to it thanks in large part to a .317 hitting percentage. OU hit just .189 in the second frame.

The script was the same for the third and final game. OU fell behind by a significant margin, KU dominated offensively and the Sooners couldn't get back into the match. OU's .250 hitting percentage in the third game was no match for KU's .395 effort.

Sophomore Joanna Schmitt recorded her third straight double-double and is up to nine on the season. She put away 16 kills while hitting .314 and collecting 12 digs.

Senior Keri Coats was unstoppable on offense. She tallied 12 kills with one unforced attack error on 19 swings. She hit at a sizzling .579 clip but wasn't a consistent enough part of the offense to help OU overcome Kansas.

Senior libero Stephanie Tengram, who has probably been the steadiest player all season, had a team-high 13 digs. She was only outdone by KU senior Jill Dorsey, who ranks second in the Big 12 in digs per game and had 15 on this night.

The other bright spot for OU was on its defensive front line. OU had 12 blocks one match after recording 16.5 in a five game upset of Colorado. Sophomore Laura Tomes assisted on the first eight stuffs and finished with a match and career-high 10 block assists. Coats and junior-transfer Gabriela Tonon also tallied four block assists.

KU was led by a trio of Brazilian attackers. Outside hitter Jana Correa topped the group with 17 kills, while Josi Lima notched 13 and Paula Caten finished with 15.

The Sooners continue Big 12 play with trip to Iowa State this weekend. The Cyclones and Sooners will meet at the Hilton Coliseum on Saturday at 7p.m.