Volleyball Claims Tourney Title

NORMAN, Okla. It didn't come as easily as the first three wins but the satisfaction may last longer for Oklahoma volleyball head coach Santiago Restrepo. The Sooners kept their first year head coach undefeated by overcoming a two game deficit to win (28-30, 25-30, 30-26, 30-25, 15-11) the Holiday Inn University of Texas-Pan American Invitational Championship over the host Broncs late Saturday evening. Oklahoma finished the opening tourney with a 4-0 record while landing three players on the all-tournament team.

Joanna Schmitt was named tournament MVP after polishing off her weekend with a double-double to the tune of 15 kills and 19 digs. Senior Keri Coats had a career and match-high 21 kills. She also hit at a .487 clip, which is an OU rally scoring five game record. Coats finished her all-around outing with two solo blocks and four block assists.

Jennifer Adams was the third Sooner to garner all-tourney honors after finishing her tremendous weekend with a career-high 19 kills.

“We showed a lot of character by battling back tonight,” said Restrepo. “I had no doubt we were going to win. It was a matter of getting the team to believe that. Our chemistry was improved in the final three games and it showed in the results.”

Box Score | Season Stats

Senior Stephanie Tengram played arguably the best match of her career at defensive specialist. She collected 21 digs, which tops her previous career-high by 10. The mark is also a OU rally scoring five game record.

In the third game Restrepo saw the momentum switch benches when he decided to scrap the two setter offense he had employed all tournament.

“I didn't think we had good chemistry this weekend until we switched to the 5-1 offense (one setter),” said Restrepo. “The team was much more stable with Rachel (Jackson) quarterbacking the team.”

Jackson broke her own OU rally-scoring record with 58 assists in the match. She had previously set the mark at 56 twice during the 2003 season. Freshman Julie Chester had nine assists in the first two games.

The Sooners will put their perfect record on the line in their home opener against Oral Roberts (2-2) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Doors open at the Howard McCasland Field House at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children.

“Before Tuesday we need to work more in the 5-1 offense and get more comfortable in the system,” said Restrepo. “The biggest issue is adjusting to the rotations defensively and the players understanding where they need to be.”

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