OU Knocks Off Kansas, 3-1

Sept. 15, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. - The Oklahoma volleyball team continued its strong start to Big 12 play as it knocked off Kansas, 3-1 (30-24, 30-20, 27-30, 30-17), in its conference home opener this Saturday morning inside the Howard McCasland.

Over 700 fans watched as the squad improved to 9-2 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12. In addition, the 2006 history-breaking team was honored as OU's NCAA Sweet 16 banner was hung before the match started. The Jayhawks fell to 7-5 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

"I was pleased with the way our middles played today," head coach Santiago Restrepo said. "Overall, I didn't think our concentration and focus was as good as it should have been but we earned the win and that is the most important thing about today."

Oklahoma and Kansas had 18 ties and 12 lead changes in game one, but Oklahoma took the lead at 22-21 and went on an 8-3 run to claim the first set. OU took control in the second game at 10-8 and never trailed again as it went on to take the 2-0 lead with a 30-20 win in game two.

The Sooners had multiple opportunities in the third frame as they cut it to within one as KU led 27-26. However, two OU attack errors and a kill by KU gave KU the 30-27 win in frame three. Oklahoma didn't let KU gain momentum as OU went on a 4-0 run to push the lead to 13-9. Oklahoma never looked back as it dominated the final game, 30-17, to win the match.

Redshirt freshman middle blocker Francie Ekwerekwu led the offense as she recorded a career-high 15 kills on a .480 hitting percentage. Ekwerekwu was also stellar on defense as she added five block assists and a block solo behind the team's 11 blocks.
Fellow middle blocker Anna Stadel added eight kills on a .357 hitting percentage while adding five block assists for the defense.

Senior outside hitter Mariana Blum tallied her eighth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 12 digs while sophomore outside hitter Bridget Laplante added 12 kills on offense.

Offensively, the team recorded a .264 hitting percentage with six aces while the defense held Kansas to a .135 hitting percentage.

Defensively, the Sooners collected 52 digs with Hannah Sharp recording a match-high 15 digs.

The Sooners will take their perfect Big 12 record on the road next week as they head to No. 19 Kansas State on Wednesday and Baylor next Saturday, Sept. 22.

OU's match against Kansas State (1-0 Big 12) will be shown live on Fox Sports Southwest (Cox Channel 37) Wednesday night.

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