ATLANTA, Ga. – The No. 5 Washington University in St. Louis volleyball team wrapped up action at the UAA Round Robin #1 on Sunday, falling to Chicago in a five-set thriller. WashU moves to 12-2 on the season and 2-1 in the UAA.
It was nearly back and forth in the first set as the teams were tied 5-5 early on. That is when WashU went on an 8-2 run to put themselves ahead by six, 13-7. The Maroons pulled within three but could not get any closer as the Bears took five of the final six points with kills by first-year
Nia Jones, senior
Sam Buckley, senior
Anna Freeman, senior
Eva Boling, and junior
Naya Ohuabunwa to close out the set 25-18.
The second set saw Chicago take an early lead before WashU tied it up at 14-14. After several ties, it became a race to five with the score at 20-20. This time the Maroons claimed five of the final six points to level the match with a 25-21 set two win.
Several small runs by Chicago saw their 7-6 lead extend to a 16-8 advantage. The Bears got back within six on a number of occasions during the set, but Chicago took the match lead 2-1 with the 25-18 set three win.
In a bit of a reversal from the third set, WashU took a small lead at 10-9 and turned it into a 16-9 lead over the Maroons. Chicago, despite getting within four points and saving two set points, could not complete the comeback as a kill by Jones forced a deciding fifth set.
The early goings of the decisive set saw Chicago take an 8-4 lead as the teams switched ends of the court. WashU pulled within just one point at 10-9. However, the teams then traded points back and forth with the Maroons claiming the set 15-12 to win the match 3-2.
As a team, WashU led in kills (73-65), blocks (8-5), and assists (70-64).
Both Freeman and junior
Leah Oyewole led the Bears with 22 kills each. Boling also reached double figures with 10 kills.
Buckley recorded her fifth double-double with 61 assists and 12 digs. First-year
Avery Reed led all Bears with 14 digs, while junior
Ellie Laird finished with 13 digs, and first-year
Isabel Campie had 12 digs.
WashU remains on the road next weekend when it travels to Stevens Point, Wis., for three matches, beginning with a contest against Augsburg on Friday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. The Bears will then play back-to-back matches against No. 21 Gustavus Adolphus at 7 p.m. They conclude the weekend with a 12 p.m. contest on Sunday, Oct. 4 against No. 10 UW-Eau Claire.
--------------------------------------
Elevating scholar-champions requires resources beyond the institutional budget. Through the W Club, generous alumni, parents, and friends provide unrestricted support that is essential to the extraordinary WashU student-athlete experience—and the ongoing growth and development of the department. Annual support for Athletics allows the Bears to consistently rise to national levels of competition and ensures that our student-athletes enjoy exceptional opportunities as they train, compete, and lead. To make a gift to the Annual Fund for Athletics, please visit our secure online giving form or contact the Athletics Advancement Office at (314) 935-5279 or athletics@wustl.edu.
