Saturday, March 20
Vermillion, S.D.
7:00 PM
Kansas City
13-1,13-1Summit League
3
at
2
University of South Dakota
11-6,10-3Summit League
1
2
3
4
5
F
Kansas City
21
25
20
25
15
3
South Dakota
25
23
25
20
7
2
Photo by: Ryan Weaver Photography
Volleyball Takes Down USD in Five Sets
3/20/2021 11:30:00 PM | Volleyball
For the second night in a row, the Roos won the final two sets to remain atop the Summit League
VERMILLION, S.D. - After falling behind 2-1 against South Dakota this evening, Kansas City Volleyball had no worry. Just 24 hours previous, they found themselves in the same situation and won the fourth and fifth sets to claim the victory. The Roos made magic happen once again, defeating the Coyotes 3-2 (21-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 15-7).
"This team is incredibly resilient," Head Coach Christi Posey said. "They stay together, fight for every point and they believe in themselves and in each other. It's a testament to their grit and feistiness."
After dropping the first set, the Roos looked to find their stride early in the second. The team jumped out to an 11-4 lead, paced by kills from six different players. Then, the momentum swung. South Dakota won 15 of the next 16 points, including a 13-point run to take a commanding 19-12 lead.
But the Roos would not go down easily. Kansas City won the next six points to draw within one, and took a 23-22 lead after three kills by Alex Ratzlaff. Two-straight South Dakota attacking errors would give the Roos the win in the momentum-defying set.
"I'm not sure I've ever experienced such a strange set as we did in set two," Posey said. "It was a must-win to even the score and gain momentum going into the third."
Kansas City jumped out to an early lead in the third but could not hold on, dropping the set 25-20 and putting the Roos' backs against the wall.
Then, Melanie Brecka took over. The Summit League leader in kills per set, she threw down seven kills in the fourth set alone, finishing with a .429 hitting percentage in the set. On the match, Brecka had 23 kills, adding 13 digs, two aces and a pair of block assists to finish with a dominant 26 total points.
Once again, the Roos and Coyotes found themselves in a winner-take-all race to 15. South Dakota earned an early 5-3 lead, but the Roos finished the match on a 12-2 run, winning the final four points on a service run by Peyton Van Nest.
Brecka's 23 kills paced the Roos, who were aided by 10 kills and 23 digs from Ratzlaff and 13 kills from Odyssey Warren. Alli Schomers dished out 51 assists, adding five kills, five digs and two total blocks. De'Janae Arnold and Ashia Dorsey held up the front line, each finishing with three total blocks.
With Denver's win over North Dakota State tonight, the Roos maintain a 1.5 game lead over the Pioneers. It sets up a showdown for the regular season championship next weekend, as the Roos play host to Denver next Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m.
"We'll get home, get rested and recovered, and prepare for an excellent Denver team next weekend," Posey said.
"This team is incredibly resilient," Head Coach Christi Posey said. "They stay together, fight for every point and they believe in themselves and in each other. It's a testament to their grit and feistiness."
After dropping the first set, the Roos looked to find their stride early in the second. The team jumped out to an 11-4 lead, paced by kills from six different players. Then, the momentum swung. South Dakota won 15 of the next 16 points, including a 13-point run to take a commanding 19-12 lead.
But the Roos would not go down easily. Kansas City won the next six points to draw within one, and took a 23-22 lead after three kills by Alex Ratzlaff. Two-straight South Dakota attacking errors would give the Roos the win in the momentum-defying set.
"I'm not sure I've ever experienced such a strange set as we did in set two," Posey said. "It was a must-win to even the score and gain momentum going into the third."
Kansas City jumped out to an early lead in the third but could not hold on, dropping the set 25-20 and putting the Roos' backs against the wall.
Then, Melanie Brecka took over. The Summit League leader in kills per set, she threw down seven kills in the fourth set alone, finishing with a .429 hitting percentage in the set. On the match, Brecka had 23 kills, adding 13 digs, two aces and a pair of block assists to finish with a dominant 26 total points.
Once again, the Roos and Coyotes found themselves in a winner-take-all race to 15. South Dakota earned an early 5-3 lead, but the Roos finished the match on a 12-2 run, winning the final four points on a service run by Peyton Van Nest.
Brecka's 23 kills paced the Roos, who were aided by 10 kills and 23 digs from Ratzlaff and 13 kills from Odyssey Warren. Alli Schomers dished out 51 assists, adding five kills, five digs and two total blocks. De'Janae Arnold and Ashia Dorsey held up the front line, each finishing with three total blocks.
With Denver's win over North Dakota State tonight, the Roos maintain a 1.5 game lead over the Pioneers. It sets up a showdown for the regular season championship next weekend, as the Roos play host to Denver next Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m.
"We'll get home, get rested and recovered, and prepare for an excellent Denver team next weekend," Posey said.
Team Stats
KC
SD
Kills
65
57
Errors
24
29
Attempts
185
182
Hitting %
.222
.154
Points
80
69
Assists
61
48
Aces
4
6
Blocks
11
6
Game Leaders
Kills
23
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Players Mentioned
MB
/ VolleyballRS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballOH/DS
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
S
/ 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