Sooners Suffer First Loss of Season

Aug. 31, 2007

MOSCOW, Idaho - The No. 21 Oklahoma volleyball team was unable to carry its momentum from last weekend into the Idaho Classic as it dropped its first loss of the season to Middle Tennessee on Friday evening in its first match of the tournament. The Sooners (3-1) were swept by Middle Tennessee (5-0) by scores of 30-19, 42-40 and 30-22.

Oklahoma's offense, which had been on fire last weekend when it claimed the Sooner Legends Nike Invitational title, struggled against the Blue Raiders as it was held to a .157 hitting percentage while Middle Tennessee was more consistent with a .279 clip against the Sooners.

Both teams were strong at the net as each squad recorded 11 blocks, but the Blue Raiders were stronger in the dig column with 10 more than the Sooners.

Despite Oklahoma's struggles on offense, senior Sarah Weiland highlighted the lineup with 13 kills on a .455 hitting percentage while Mariana Blum led the team with 15 kills. However, Weiland and Anna Stadel, who added five kills, were the only Sooners to record over a .150 hitting percentage.

The Sooners weren't able to stop Middle Tennessee's Ashley Asberry and Ashley Adams. Asberry recorded 11 kills on a .533 hitting percentage while Adams was very consistent with 15 kills on an impressive .636 hitting percentage.

Freshman Francie Ekwerekwu led the Sooners at the net with five block assists while sophomore Bridget Laplante tallied three solo blocks and two block assists while adding seven digs.

Defensive specialist Lacy Barnes led the back row defense with eight digs. Oklahoma will look to get back in the win column on Saturday as it continues the Idaho Classic.

The Sooners will play Oregon State at 12 p.m. (CST) and close out the tournament with host Idaho Saturday night at 9:30 p.m.

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