Friday, March 19
Vermillion, S.D.
7:00 PM
Kansas City
12-1,12-1Summit League
3
at
2
University of South Dakota
11-5,10-2Summit League
1
2
3
4
5
F
Kansas City
25
16
18
25
15
3
South Dakota
22
25
25
22
12
2
Photo by: Ryan Weaver Photography
Roos Beat South Dakota in Five Set Thriller
3/19/2021 11:01:00 PM | Volleyball
Kansas City erased a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Coyotes and remain atop the Summit League
VERMILLION, S.D. - After falling behind two sets to one, Kansas City Volleyball showed its resilience in a match between the top two teams in the Summit League, completing the comeback for a 3-2 (25-22, 16-25, 18-25, 25-22, 15-12) victory.
"This was a big win over a great team," Head Coach Christi Posey said. "Our kids continue to find ways to win by battling on every point."
The Roos came out swinging in the first set, led by De'Janae Arnold's five kills on .400 hitting. Kansas City had three blocks in the set, all of which Arnold was involved in, and the Roos did not allow the Coyotes a single block in the set.
The next two sets went the way of South Dakota, and the Roos struggled hitting the ball. Across the second and third sets, Kansas City committed 20 hitting errors, shooting at a negative clip.
However, the Roos bounced back in the fourth set, led by the defense of the back line. KC recorded 21 digs in the fourth set alone, with Maddie Renn, Melanie Brecka and Alex Ratzlaff each getting underneath four Coyote attacks. Kennedy Schritenthal also filled in an important role with three digs in the fourth.
Overall, Kansas City was led by Renn with a career-high 27 digs, adding a career-high nine assists. Schritenthal also posted a career-high in the digs category, finishing with 13. Brecka (14), Ratzlaff (19) and Alli Schomers (12) all finished in double digits as well, each finishing with double-doubles.
"Alex, Kennedy and Maddie keep us in system so well that we're able to share the ball pretty well," Posey said. "Maddie was terrific defensively tonight."
The fifth set was a tight affair, but the Roos seemed to be in control. After falling behind 3-1, Kansas City won six of the next nine points to take a 7-6 lead and never trailed again. Brecka put down three kills, and the Roos posted two blocks in crucial moments to clinch the team's first win over South Dakota since 2012.
Brecka finished the night with 14 kills, but was joined in double digits by Ratzlaff with 13, Arnold with 11 and Odyssey Warren with 11. Schomers facilitated well, finishing with 39 assists.
With the win, Kansas City gains a 1.5 game lead over Denver and South Dakota for first place in the Summit League with just three games remaining. The Roos take on South Dakota again tomorrow evening at 7 p.m., and take on Denver next weekend.
"This team has such grit and toughness," Posey said. "We'll certainly need that again tomorrow as we know it will be another epic battle with the Coyotes."
"This was a big win over a great team," Head Coach Christi Posey said. "Our kids continue to find ways to win by battling on every point."
The Roos came out swinging in the first set, led by De'Janae Arnold's five kills on .400 hitting. Kansas City had three blocks in the set, all of which Arnold was involved in, and the Roos did not allow the Coyotes a single block in the set.
The next two sets went the way of South Dakota, and the Roos struggled hitting the ball. Across the second and third sets, Kansas City committed 20 hitting errors, shooting at a negative clip.
However, the Roos bounced back in the fourth set, led by the defense of the back line. KC recorded 21 digs in the fourth set alone, with Maddie Renn, Melanie Brecka and Alex Ratzlaff each getting underneath four Coyote attacks. Kennedy Schritenthal also filled in an important role with three digs in the fourth.
Overall, Kansas City was led by Renn with a career-high 27 digs, adding a career-high nine assists. Schritenthal also posted a career-high in the digs category, finishing with 13. Brecka (14), Ratzlaff (19) and Alli Schomers (12) all finished in double digits as well, each finishing with double-doubles.
"Alex, Kennedy and Maddie keep us in system so well that we're able to share the ball pretty well," Posey said. "Maddie was terrific defensively tonight."
The fifth set was a tight affair, but the Roos seemed to be in control. After falling behind 3-1, Kansas City won six of the next nine points to take a 7-6 lead and never trailed again. Brecka put down three kills, and the Roos posted two blocks in crucial moments to clinch the team's first win over South Dakota since 2012.
Brecka finished the night with 14 kills, but was joined in double digits by Ratzlaff with 13, Arnold with 11 and Odyssey Warren with 11. Schomers facilitated well, finishing with 39 assists.
With the win, Kansas City gains a 1.5 game lead over Denver and South Dakota for first place in the Summit League with just three games remaining. The Roos take on South Dakota again tomorrow evening at 7 p.m., and take on Denver next weekend.
"This team has such grit and toughness," Posey said. "We'll certainly need that again tomorrow as we know it will be another epic battle with the Coyotes."
Team Stats
KC
SD
Kills
56
57
Errors
36
26
Attempts
198
184
Hitting %
.101
.168
Points
67
67
Assists
49
52
Aces
3
3
Blocks
8
7
Game Leaders
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
13
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
MB
/ VolleyballRS
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/ Volleyball
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/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballVolleyball Highlights vs. St. Thomas
Saturday, November 01
Volleyball Highlights at North Dakota State
Saturday, October 25
Volleyball Highlights at North Dakota
Thursday, October 23
Postgame Interview: Coach Posey-post Omaha
Tuesday, October 21