Sooners Take No. 3 Bears to the Brink

Wednesday, October 30

Norman

7:00 p.m.

University of Oklahoma

14-6,6-3

Baylor *

18-1,8-1

Baylor

Oklahoma

Photo by: Ty Russell

October 30, 2019 | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

NORMAN – The Oklahoma volleyball team took No. 3 Baylor to the wire, falling in a five-set battle, 3-2, Wednesday night inside McCasland Field House. The Bears took the match 26-24, 15-25, 29-31, 25-15,15-12.

"I thought we would be able to sneak out some more McCasland magic, but a good team doesn't give you a lot of points and we knew that going into the match at Waco," head coach Lindsey Grey-Walton said. "We learned that we gave too many points away. A good team like that can put you in uncomfortable situations and make you bleed points. Tonight, we were actually able to turn the tables. That is progress, that's growth, that's mindset, that's belief behind the line, that is across the net belief. We just talk a lot about putting us at the advantage."

"I think that everyone tonight, in their role, did everything that they were called upon to do. That's a top-five matchup right there. That should give our team confidence, that whether we are 25 in the RPI or whatever, let it be and let it fuel you. You just proved to yourself tonight, and that's the only people that matter in opinions."

Baylor narrowly out-hit OU .162 to .160 in the match, but OU's dependable defense out-blocked the Bears 13.0-9.5. Senior middle blocker Brianna Kadiku took charge at the net as she got in on all but three blocks, tallying a season-high 10 on the contest.

Keyton Kinley led all players in digs with 26 while Paige Johnson added 19; Ashlynn Dunbar posted 12 and Aysia Harty had 10.

Dunbar recorded another double-double as she led OU players in kills with 18 on the night. Freshman Sanaá Dotson had her second straight performance with 10 or more kills as she put away 11, and Paige Anderson joined her and Dunbar in double figures with 10.

After Baylor took the first set 26-24, the Sooners stormed back to take the second set in dominating fashion. With the match tied at 9-all, OU went on a 16-6 run to take the set, 25-15.

The Sooners won a wild third set in extra points, holding on to take the frame 31-29. Baylor looked to close the set at 25-24, but a service error brought up 25-all. The match continued to go back-and-forth before a Sarah Sanders block would give OU the set.

Baylor would take the fourth set, 25-15, setting up the Sooners for their eighth fifth-set match of the season. The Sooners would draw even with the Bears at 10-all, but would ultimately drop the final set, 15-12.

The Sooners will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to Kansas for an 11 a.m. CT matchup.