Tulsa Volleyball Suffers First Loss Of Season To OU

The University of Tulsa ended the Oklahoma Sooners season last year in the first round of the NCAA and Saturday night, the Sooners had an opportunity for revenge.

The Sooners took advantage, overcoming a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Golden Hurricane 3-2 (23-25, -21, 22-25, -18, 15-12).

The match lasted two hours and 45 minutes, and was everything the 1,031 fans that crowded into McCasland Field House came to see.

Tulsa dominated offensively, putting down 77 kills to just 49 for the Sooners. The Golden Hurricane had a team hit percentage of .221, and was led by Tyler Henderson's 29 kills. Kellie Culbertson and Diana Silva both added double-doubles, with Culbertson contributing 19 kills and 17 digs, and Silva chipping in 14 kills and 15 digs.

Jessica Adams led all players with 25 digs.

For the Sooners, Morgan Reynolds, Kierra Holst, and Keila Rodriguez all had 10 kills to lead the offense. Rodriguez added 12 digs for her first double-double of the season. Maria Fernanda led the Sooners with 21 digs.

While the Golden Hurricane had 28 more kills on 43 more swings than the Sooners, the match was won by the Sooners at the net. The Sooners racked up 20.5 team blocks to just four for Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane also committed 33 attack errors and 18 service errors to just 16 and one for the Sooners respectively.

Sallie McLaurin and Holst dominated the net, combining for 25 block assists between the two of them.

Earlier in the day, the Golden Hurricane made short work of Missouri State, sweeping the Bears in straight sets (-22, -14, -22).

Henderson once again led Tulsa's offense with 17 kills. Culbertson contributed a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs.

Adamas led the defense, which held Missouri State to a .093 hit percentage, with 16 digs.

Christine McCartney led the Bears with nine kills.