Volleyball Visits Tar Heel State for Three

Big 12/ACC Challenge
Sept. 18-20 | Winston-Salem | Chapel Hill | Durham

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Kierra Holst // Jr. // OH Holst was named the Most Valuable Player of the NIKE Invitational after leading the OU attack with 3.31 kills per set as the Sooners went 4-0.

NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma volleyball team is back on the road for three matches in the “Tar Heel State” for the Big 12/ACC Challenge. The Sooners get started at Wake Forest on Thursday night followed by matches at North Carolina and Duke on Friday and Saturday.

Oklahoma cruised through its home NIKE Invitational last week to improve to 8-2 overall. The Sooners, who enter the week on a four-match win streak, are led on the attack by redshirt-sophomore Madison Ward (3.03 kills per set), sophomore Kimmy Gardiner (2.82) and junior Kierra Holst (2.77). Ward has posted a team-high three double-doubles with a 2.32 digs per set average. Junior setter Julia Doyle has managed an OU offense that is hitting a collective .268 with 10.18 assists per set.

1^st Rotation – Scouting the Field

At 8-2, Wake Forest is led by outside hitter Jazmen Russell at 4.31 kills per set and libero Caroline Wolf at 4.15 digs per set. No. 13 North Carolina has reached its highest spot in the AVCA Coaches Poll with a 7-1 record that includes a 2-1 mark against ranked opponents. Outside hitter Lauren McAdoo is the Tar Heels top offensive weapon at 3.27 kills per set, while Jordyn Schnabl (6.35 assists per set) and Abigail Curry (4.73) share the setting duties. Duke, previously ranked, enters at 6-3 with a 1-1 record against the Top-25. Outside hitters Jeme Obeime (3.54) and Emily Sklar (3.43) lead the Blue Devil attack.

2^nd Rotation – NIKE Sweep

The Sooners took down the competition in all four matches of the NIKE Invitational, winning 12 sets to five. Holst was named the Most Valuable Player as she averaged 3.31 kills per set and hit .296. Gardiner and freshman middle blocker Marion Hazelwood joined her on the All-Tournament Team. Gardiner hit .314 with 2.88 kills per set and Hazelwood hit .333 with 2.19 kills and 0.81 blocks per set.

3^rd Rotation – Against the Field

The Sooners are an even 3-3 all-time against this weekend's opponents. Oklahoma and Wake Forest have each won once; the Sooners lead UNC 2-1 and trail Duke 1-0. Oklahoma's two wins over the Tar Heels came in 1995 and 2006; a 3-0 win in Norman.

4^th – Double Take

Three Oklahoma players have combined for six double-doubles through the first 10 matches. Ward leads the way with three; having recorded on each weekend of the season. She has totaled four in her career, while Doyle is the team's active career leader at 14. She posted her first of the season against Portland State after registering eight as a freshman and five as a sophomore.

5^th Rotation – Five-Setters

The Sooners dropped each of their first two weekend finales in five sets to No. 10 Florida and SMU. OU earned its first five-set win over CSUN in its home opener (9/10). Oklahoma is hitting just .222 in five-set matches and .212 in the fifth set. In 2013, Oklahoma went 4-1 in five-set matches and 9-1 in four-set matches.

6^th Rotation – Know Your Back Row

Migliazzo anchors the Sooner defense as she returns to the libero role for a second season. She leads the team in digs per set at 3.72 and has added 25 assists on the year. A consistent rotation of sophomore Lauren English and freshman Emma Kelly have joined Migliazzo. Kelly averages 1.09 digs per set and English has contributed five service aces. Senior Kaitlyn Drawe has also mixed in with 22 sets played and 0.86 digs per set.

Bonus – Up Next

Big 12 play is right around the corner as Oklahoma opens conference play at home on Saturday, September 27 against Kansas at 7:00 pm.