BELLEVUE, Neb. – In what may go down as one of the best matches of the 2019 season, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) volleyball took the No. 25 Ottawa University (Kan.) to five sets where all but one was settled by more than four points, 22-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-22, 13-15.
Both teams came to play, as they got into quite the battle in the first set. It was remarkable to see both teams attack at such a high rate, OU finished at a .290 clip while the Eagles attacked at .229. The Eagles finished with 16 kills in the set led by Elisa Pauzer (JR/Campinas, Brazil)'s five but it was not enough.
Set two proved to be just as tough as the first for the Eagles as neither team could get a bigger lead than four. Erin Clark (JR/Phoenix, Ariz.) led the way in the second for the Eagles totaling five kills of her game high 26. A three point run would be all that the Braves needed to close out the set and take a commanding lead.
ERAU did not shy away from the challenge of being down 2-0. The third set was the only true set where a team dominated from start to finish. Clark would once again lead the Eagles with six kills in route to the seven-point set win.
The fourth set was controlled by the Eagles from the first couple of points but it was not like the third. Each team struggled to establish themselves as the Eagles only managed to open a four-point lead before shutting the door.
The final set was the best of the evening as it came down to the wire. Both teams deserved to leave with a win and unfortunately that's not how it works. Neither the Eagles or Braves held more than a single point lead in the set until the score reached 12-12. The Braves rattled off two quick points and the Eagles were not able to recover.
Caylee Robalin (JR/El Paso, Texas) joined Pauzer and Clark as the three Eagles in double-digits for kills in the match. Audrey Baldwin (SR/Santa Barbara, Calif.) had herself a solid match dishing out 51 assists and digging 11. Julia Kjenstad (SO/Tacoma, Wash.) and Roablin both amassed five blocks.
ERAU will be back in the Lied Activity Center tomorrow morning at 9:00 am MST to take on Baker University followed (11) Dordt College at 3:00 pm MST.
