Sooners Fall In Straight Sets At Kansas State

The Oklahoma volleyball team suffered a 3-0 sweep at No. 22 Kansas State on Wednesday night. The loss dropped the Sooners to 14-6 overall and 5-2 in the Big 12, while the Wildcats improved to 18-3 overall and pulled even with OU in second place at 5-2.

The Sooners lost in straight sets for just the second time this season. K-State claimed the win; 25-14, 25-19 and 26-24. Oklahoma led 24-20 in the third, with a chance to force a fourth set, but failed to close it out as the Wildcats rallied for six consecutive points. The Sooners led by as many as eight points during the set at 17-9.

Junior outside hitter Kierra Holst hit a season-high .588 on 11 kills, one error and 17 total attempts despite OU winding up on the short-end. Redshirt-sophomore outside hitter Madison Ward was second on the squad with eight kills, but managed a .000 attack rate.

Sophomore middle blocker Micaela Spann and freshman middle blocker Marion Hazelwood each tallied seven kills. Hazelwood posted a team-high three blocks.

The Wildcats hit .389 for the match and held the Sooners to a .192 attack rate; marking the highest by and OU opponent this season. Natali Jones and Brooke Sassin led Kansas State with 12 and 11 kills, respectively.

A big difference in the match came down to blocking as the Wildcats registered 11 to Oklahoma's two. Jones led all players with seven and K-State setter Katie Brand added five to go with 37 assists and five digs.

Junior setter Julia Doyle dished out 31 assists and picked up six digs. Her consecutive double-double streak was snapped at six matches, while also falling one shy of 3,000 career assists. Junior libero Taylor Migliazzo led the Sooners with seven digs.

Oklahoma fell to 2-6 in true road matches on the season and 1-2 in road Big 12 matches.

The Sooners are back on the road Saturday for a 6 p.m. match at No. 2 Texas.