Oakland City, IN - In what proved to be a tough battle, the Oakland City University volleyball team hosted the Pioneers of Point Park University, looking to keep pace in the conference standings. Winners of five straight, and six of their last seven, the Oaks needed to dig out of an early hole to continue their winning streak. Dropping the opening set 25-21, then falling 25-18 in the second frame, OCU was able to take set three 25-22, then dominated the fourth stanza 25-14. The fifth set was back and forth until
Mariana Anastasiadi pulled the Oaks ahead with three straight ace serves, giving Oakland City the lead for good, winning 15-10.
Leading the way for the Oaks was
Jazmyn Rodriquez with 15 kills and 16 digs.
Malia Schmittler added 11 kills, five block assists and one solo.
Chloee Thomas had 10 kills, two solo blocks and a block assist, while
Dunja Madjarevic came up with 14 digs. The two OCU setters, Anastasiadi and
Callie Foster, each had three servie aces, while Foster had 22 assists, one shy of Anastasiadi.
The Pioneers had 14 kills from Stephanie Rivera-Pacheco, who also led the team in digs with 18. Melissa Schroeder had six block assists, while Star Lakin added 27 assists, both game highs.
As a team, the Oaks had 52 kills, hitting .174, 51 assists, 56 digs, nine blocks, and 12 ace serves. Point Park had 60 kills, hitting .211, 57 assists, 63 digs, nine blocks and no aces.
The Mighty Oaks will be back in action for a conference road trip, facing West Virginia University Tech on Friday, October 15, at 6:00 pm, followed by the University of Rio Grande on Saturday, October 16, at 11:00 am.
