Kansas City
5-1,5-1Summit League
Western Illinois University
0-7,0-6Summit League
Balanced Attack Gives KC Win over WIU
2/15/2021 7:01:00 PM | Volleyball
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Thanks in part to a balanced attack and a season-high blocking performance, Kansas City (5-1, 5-1) defeated Western Illinois (0-7, 0-6) in four sets (25-21, 25-15, 21-25, 25-20) and earned a series sweep over the Leathernecks. The win was Head Coach Christi Posey's 150th of her career, making her the first in program history to reach that mark.
"It feels great," Posey said. "There are a lot of people who have helped along the way and I feel fortunate to be in a place where I've had this opportunity. The kids that have been a part of it are really special."
As opposed to yesterday's match, which saw four sets decided by three-or-fewer points, the Roos came out ready to play today. Five different Roos placed kills in the game's first 16 points, establishing the pace and giving KC an 11-5 lead. The Roos maintained the course for the remainder of the set, winning 25-21.
"We were well balanced," Posey said. "We hope to always be balanced, and I thought Alli (Schomers) did a good job of distributing and giving everybody a shot."
Schomers ended the match with 40 assists, 13 digs, six kills and 2.5 blocks, extending her streak of matches with 30-plus kills to 28.
In the second set, the Roos began to establish the block, led by De'Janae Arnold. Kansas City held WIU to a .040 hitting percentage in the set and allowed just seven kills.
Arnold finished with her most complete match as a Roo thus far, tagging 11 kills on .375 hitting and contributing eight block assists.
"She was active and athletic. I think she's finally getting into a groove," Posey said. "She did some of the things that we believe she can. She can really impact other teams."
After falling in the third set, the two teams traded points to a 9-8 Kansas City lead. Kelsie Milkowski was brought in for the serve and the Roos strung together a few points to gain some breathing room. Milkowski ended the match with a career-high four aces, using a heavy top spin serve to take the Leathernecks out of system.
"Kelsie was great," Posey said. "She came in at a crucial time where she was able to establish a run for us. With her in the serve and a good-blocking frontline, we can score points in a bunch."
Kansas City was led by Melanie Brecka in the attack, finishing with 13 kills. Arnold followed her with 13 and Odyssey Warren was not far behind with 10. In her third-career start, Mimi Dunda contributed a career-high five kills, also adding a pair of block assists.
Maddie Renn led the Roos' defense with 16 digs, followed by Schomer's 13, Alex Ratzlaff with 12 and Kennedy Schritenthal with eight.
The Roos are in the Swinney Center once again next week, taking on South Dakota State on Feb. 21 and 22 at 4 p.m. Both matches will be streamed live on the Roo Sports Network.
