Red Victorious in Final Scrimmage

NORMAN, Okla. - Over 200 Sooner fans came out Saturday morning to watch the Oklahoma volleyball squad in its final day of preseason action. The Sooners held their traditional Red/White scrimmage at the Howard McCasland Field House.

The Red squad, which included all three newcomers, dominated the match taking all three games, 30-21, 30-25, 30-15. The two squads also played an additional fourth game. The White crew made it competitive, but the Red team held on for the 15-13 win.

“We had great support from our fans today,” head coach Santiago Restrepo said. “We were excited to have this opportunity to showcase our newcomers and our 2006 squad. I was extremely pleased with the way our newcomers played as well as our veterans. There was great competition going on between both squads.”

2006 Schedule | 2006 Roster

Preseason All-Big 12 selection Eliane Santos and junior Sarah Weiland led the Red squad to victory after pounding 13 kills each. Newcomer Mariana Blum, a two-time juco All-American, was impressive with eight kills, seven digs and two aces.

True freshmen Bridget Laplante and Francie Ekwerekwu showed offensive presence as Laplante pounded seven kills and Ekwerekwu followed with six.

Senior setter Rachel Jackson quarterbacked the Red offense with 39 assists as Weiland, the 2005 Big 12 service ace leader, recorded five aces behind the line.

The Red squad used defense en route to victory as it recorded 20 block assists and four block solos, led by Santos' six block assists and Jackson's five block assists. Additionally, libero Anna Monsen collected a match-best 19 digs while Laplante added nine.

Senior Joanna Schmitt, OU's career rally-scoring leader in kills and digs, headlined the White team with 12 kills and nine digs. Junior Anna Stadel followed with eight kills.

Junior setter Julie Chester guided the White offense as she recorded 24 assists and was strong defensively, collecting seven digs.

Libero Lacy Barnes, OU's only sophomore this season, led the way on defense as she recorded 11 digs for the White crew while senior Laura Tomes and junior Hannah Sharp added four each.

At the net, Tomes and Schmitt each added two block assists a piece.

“I appreciate our entire squad's effort this morning,” Restrepo said. “It was exciting to see all the combinations we are going to have this season and I know our fans are going to be excited to watch them.”

Following the scrimmage, all fans enjoyed a picnic with the team and tours of the Field House and locker rooms.
OU will resort back to a regular practice schedule with classes beginning Monday, Aug. 21.

Fans don't have to wait long to see the Sooners in action again as OU is hosting the Sooner Legends Nike Invitational next Friday and Saturday (Aug. 25-26) at the McCasland Field House. OU will begin the four-team tournament on Friday, Aug. 25 with a match against Arkansas at 7 p.m.

Season Ticket Information
Be a part of the fun and excitement of Oklahoma Volleyball! Become a season ticket holder and enjoy Oklahoma volleyball at affordable prices. As a season ticket holder, you will also have access to intimate seating inside the McCasland Field House which provides an up-close look at some of the best volleyball in the country.

Public season tickets are $50 and faculty/staff and letterwinner season tickets are only $40. To order your season tickets please call the OU Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 456-4668 or visit SoonerSports.com.

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