Sweet Revenge Nets Volleyball Sweep Of Iowa State

NORMAN, Okla. -- Fueled by a new-look lineup and a stalwart defense, the Oklahoma volleyball team avenged an earlier loss to Iowa State by sweeping the Cyclones on their home court Saturday night. OU, which lost in four games to ISU home on Sept. 17, fought off a late rally to record the 31-29, 30-25, 33-31 win. The Sooners began the second half of the Big 12 season on the right foot and improve to 10-9 on the season and 2-9 in conference. ISU dropped to 8-12 overall and 1-10 in Big 12 play.

“We showed a lot of character tonight,” said OU head coach Santiago Restrepo. “In game three we were down 20-11 and they could have surrendered the game and tried to finish it in the fourth, but they didn't. We continued to pressure Iowa State and it led to the win.”

A defensive record played a crucial role in the Sooners win. OU broke the school rally-scoring record with 71 digs, besting the previous high of 66 from 2002. Five Sooners reached double-digits in digs with senior libero Stephanie Tengram at the top of the heap with 17.

Box Score

Junior Sheena Werling made the most of her first start of the season with 14 digs and nine kills. The trio of sophomore Joanna Schmitt, sophomore Rachel Jackson and freshman Julie Chester contributed 11 digs each.

Schmitt also recorded her fourth consecutive double-double with a team-high 17 kills. The only other Sooners in double-digits in kills was senior Keri Coats who hit .333 in route to 13 put aways.

Freshman Anna Stadel sizzled in her first career start. She tallied nine kills and one error while hitting at a team high .471 clip. Stadel and junior-transfer Gabriela Tonon started at the middle blockers positions for the first time in each of their respective careers. Previously this season, Laura Tomes and Jennifer Adams had started at middle blocker in every contest, while Tonon started as the second option on the left side in every other match this season. Werling was starting for Tonon on the outside.

“Anna and Gabriela did a great job,” said Restrepo, who was inducted into his alma mater's (East Stroudsbug University) Hall of Fame earlier in the day. “I was very happy with their play. I was also impressed with Sheena. She was very sound on defense and consistent on offense.”

Oklahoma was able to sustain its' leads and finish off the Cyclones in the first two games. In the third it was a different story. ISU jumped out early and pushed its' lead to 20-11. Then OU battled all the way back and forced overtime before sealing the match with the 33-31 win.

When asked what was different about his squad in this meeting with ISU Restrepo commented, “When we stepped on the court tonight, we believed we were going to win. Our demeanor was much better. We came out and said lets compete, have fun and win this match. Even when ISU was ahead 20-11 late, that attitude did not change.”

OU stopped a three-match losing streak to ISU with the win.

The Sooners begin a three-match home stand with No. 10 Texas on Wednesday at 7 p.m. OU was swept in its first meeting with Texas earlier this season. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. The first 250 fans will receive free OU trucker hats.

Sweet Revenge Nets Volleyball Sweep Of Iowa State

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Sweet Revenge Nets Volleyball Sweep Of Iowa State

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