Kansas City
University of North Dakota
Roos Sweep UND for Best Start in Program History
3/1/2021 4:00:00 PM | Volleyball
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Kansas City (9-1, 9-1) breezed past North Dakota (2-8, 2-6) for the second afternoon in a row today, sweeping the Fighting Hawks in straight sets, 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-18). The win gives the Roos their best start through 10 matches in program history, breaking the 2002, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 Roos' starts of 7-3.
"Our team feels good about what we've accomplished so far," Head Coach Christi Posey said. "However, we can still get better in several areas."
Kansas City picked up where it left off yesterday in the first set, finding Melanie Brecka early and often to set the tone. Brecka finished with a match-high 16 kills, six of which came in the first set. She has led the Roos' attack in all 10 matches this season, and is currently ranked third in the Summit League in kills per set. Brecka was involved in the defense as well, digging up 11 attacks for her fourth-straight double-double.
Alli Schomers facilitated the offense as well as she usually does, finding six different Roos for kills. She finished with 37 assists, extending her streak of matches with 30-plus to 32-straight, the longest recorded streak in program history.
After a back-and-forth start to the second set, a Peyton Van Nest ace at 15-15 sparked a 10-6 run for the Roos to close out the set. Kansas City had one of its best serving matches of the season, sending across seven aces to just one service error.
"Serving tough continues to be a consistent theme with recording the least amount of errors all year in today's match," Posey said.
Alex Ratzlaff led the serving for the Roos with three aces. She also finished with 10 kills and 10 digs, her seventh double-double of the year and fourth in a row.
De'Janae Arnold took over in the third set and Kansas City cruised to victory. Arnold had three kills in the third on just nine attacks, finishing the match with nine kills and a .381 hitting percentage. Maddie Renn's defense shined in the third set as well, posting 10 of her 20 digs in the final frame.
"We weren't quite as sharp offensively today, but we were scrappy defensively," Posey said.
The Roos will have their bye-week next weekend, next playing at Oral Roberts on Mar. 12 and 13.
"After some much needed rest, we'll work towards continued improvement while preparing for a great finish," Posey said.
