Shelton's Career Day Guides Sooners to Four-Set Victory Over Ball State

Saturday, August 26

Muncie, Ind.

12 p.m.

University of Oklahoma

3-0,0-0Big 12

Ball State

1-1,0-0MAC

Oklahoma

Ball St.

Shelton's Career Day Guides Sooners to Four-Set Victory Over Ball State

August 26, 2023 | Volleyball

Box Score Stats (PDF)

MUNCIE, Ind. – Sophomore outside hitter Alexis Shelton recorded a career-high 26 kills and Oklahoma volleyball improved to 3-0 with a four-set victory (18-25, 25-22, 25-13, 25-18) over Ball State at the Ball State Invitational on Saturday.

Fresh off her first career 20-kill performance on Friday night against Purdue Fort Wayne, Shelton continued her dominance on the court, recording 26 kills on 51 attempts and leading the Sooners with 16 digs and three aces. Shelton found her rhythm in the final two sets and tallied 17 kills on 25 attempts, recording an impressive .680 attack percentage.

"It was fun to watch," said Oklahoma head volleyball coach Aaron Mansfield. "She [Alexis Shelton] played with a lot of passion and we love that. We want our players to be themselves."

Ball State won the opening set 25-18 and the Sooners evened the tally with a 25-22 second set victory.

In the second frame, the Cardinals captured the lead after a five-point swing made it 10-6. BSU held its advantage until senior libero Callie Kemohah delivered an ace to make it 20-all. Shelton recorded a kill on the next attack and OU had its first lead since 6-5. Both programs traded points and the Sooners held a 24-22 edge after a block by senior middle Lydia Burts and junior outside hitter Daleigh Ellison. Sophomore defensive specialist Sydney Thompson secured the set with an ace.

In the third set, Oklahoma jumped out to an early advantage and recorded eight of the first nine points. During its seven-point run, Shelton tallied two of her three service aces.

With the Sooners up 12-4, Shelton started to take over, recording the next six Oklahoma points and concluding the run with a trio of kills. OU recorded seven of the final 11 points, including two additional kills by Shelton.

Tournament host Ball State came out swinging in the fourth and held a 7-3 edge after a block by Lauren Gilliland and Aniya Kennedy. The Cardinals extended their advantage to 15-9 and Oklahoma called its second timeout of the set, helping stop the BSU momentum.

Out of the break, Burts recorded a kill and service ace. The Sooners pulled within one after a kill by sophomore outside hitter Taylor Preston made it 15-14. OU tied it at 16-all after back-to-back kills by Ellison and Shelton.

With the Sooners up 19-17, Shelton recorded five of the last six OU points, including the final two points of the match.

"Proud of our group for grinding through and getting a win against a very good Ball State team," said Mansfield.

Junior setter Payton Chamberlain recorded a double-double, dishing out 45 assists and recording 15 digs. Preston tallied 13 kills on 35 attempts and Kemohah added 11 digs.

The Sooners recorded nine service aces compared to Ball State's two.

UP NEXT
Oklahoma will continue its road trek to open the season, heading to Corvallis, Ore., for two matches against Oregon State and Boise State on Sept. 1-2.