Sooners Host Kansas Wednesday

Nov. 11, 2008

Kansas (12-12, 6-9 Big 12) at Oklahoma (10-14, 6-10 Big 12)
Date	Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008
Location	Norman, Okla. \| McCasland Field House (2,000)
Tickets	Available for $7 (adults) and $5 (youth/letterwinners)
Internet	Live Stats \| Webcast (subscription based)
Game Info	Oklahoma Match Notes (PDF)

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma volleyball team opens its final homestand Wednesday evening, hosting the Kansas Jayhawks in a 7 p.m. CT contest from McCasland Field House. The Sooners (10-14, 6-10 Big 12) are looking to avenge a 3-1 loss to the Jayhawks (12-12, 6-9 Big 12) earlier this season in Lawrence. On Faculty and Staff Night, the first 250 fans through the door receive an OU volleyball mouse pad.

The Sooners are coming off two road losses last week to 14th-ranked Kansas State and Missouri. Against the Wildcats, junior Bridget Laplante recorded her seventh double-double of the season but the team was unable to pull off an upset, falling in the opening set, 25-20 before winning the second 25-16. Kansas State responded winning the third 25-23 and the fourth 25-20 to take the match 3-1.

Laplante led OU with 14 kills and 17 digs, her first double-double since the Texas Tech match on Sept. 27. The Tomball, Texas native also led the Sooner's with a .297 hitting percentage on the evening. Freshman Brianne Barker contributed a season-high 24 digs to go along with her 40 assists. The total was the setter's 13th double-double of the year. Sophomore Chrissy Disarro led OU at the net with three block solos and a career-high seven block assists.

On Sunday, OU dropped a 3-0 decision to Missouri. The Sooners were swept for the fifth time this season, falling 25-15, 25-17 and 25-20 to the Tigers. The Sooner offense was led by Laplante with nine kills, while Barker recorded her team-leading 14th double-double of the year with 23 assist and 10 digs. Barker also recorded seven kills and had a .412 hitting percentage. Redshirt sophomore Francie Ekwerekwu led the blocking attack for OU with three block assists. The defense was led by Laplante and senior Lacy Barnes both tallying 14 and 16 digs, respectively. Freshman Danielle Alva recorded a season-high 10 digs.

The Jayhawks enter Wednesday evening's match after posting their first back-to-back Big 12 sweep since 2004. For their efforts this past week, Karina Garlington and Nicole Tate were named the Big 12 Offensive Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively. Senior Savannah Noyes paced the team hitting a .339 attack percentage in league play. Four Jayhawks contribute over two digs per set on defense led by sophomore Melissa Manda with 3.11 each time out.

Oklahoma has an open date this weekend before closing out the home schedule with Texas A&M on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. CT and Iowa State on Saturday, Nov. 22 with a time to be determined.

Players Mentioned

Danielle Alva

Brianne Barker

Lacy Barnes

Chrissy Disarro

Francie Ekwerekwu

Bridget Laplante

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics