COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 23, 2010) – Oxy flew out this weekend to compete in the Spike It Up Classic hosted by the top ranked team in the west region the Colorado College Tigers. The Black and Orange went 2-1 in pool play and earned a rematch with the host Tigers in the tournament final, but once again came up short against the #10 ranked team in the nation by the final scores of 25-22, 25-12, 25-27, 25-13.
To get to the tournament final Oxy knocked off Johnson and Wales Friday afternoon (25-12, 25-9, 25-7), extending the longest win streak of the season to 12, but that was short lived as they had to take the floor for their second straight match and this time faced the host Tigers. The Black and Orange had no answers for Colorado College in this first meeting, falling 25-12, 25-16 and 25-23.
In order to advance to the championship match, Oxy had to come back for a 10am match against Buena Vista University, struggling to find a rhythm early, Oxy battled back to take the first set 27-25 but then cruised by the final set scores 25-15 and 25-17.
The Black and Orange were ranked #3 this week by the NCAA West Region Committee but were facing for the second time in less then 24 hours the top ranked squad out of the West and defending region champions.
The host Tigers controlled the opening moments, sprinting ahead 9-3, but the Black and Orange responded and finally caught Colorado at 22-22. A couple of defensive breakdowns forced by the host squad was to much for Oxy to handle as they fell 25-22.
The interior presence of Gwynne Davis and Aly Fritz really allowed Oxy to balance out their offense and keep the Colorado block somewhat off balance in the opening stanza, but passing breakdowns in the second set allowed Colorado to cruise to a 25-12 win.
Down two sets to none, Oxy made a lineup changed that seemed to spark them, but they still found themselves down 24-21 and facing three match points. A hitting error and a stuff block by Stephanie Gann cut the lead to one, and then the freshman outside hitter put away three consecutive kills to steal the third set 27-25.
But the momentum was short lived, as Colorado took back control of the match with a 12-3 run to open the fourth, and Oxy never recovered falling by the final score of 25-13.
During the awards ceremony, three from the Black and Orange were named to the all tournament team, freshmen Jessie Altman and Gann alongside sophomore Logan Boyer-Hayse.
Gann led a much more balanced attack for the Tigers, as Fritz and Davis hit over .285 for the match while the freshmen led Oxy with 14 kills. Boyer-Hayse recorded a double double with 11 kills and 10 digs.
Altman handed out 28 assists while splitting duties with sophomore Megan Upp for the latter parts of the match.
Madyson Cassidy picked up 15 digs and Kasey Rose almost matched her defensive effort with 14 of her own.
Oxy (23-4, 8-1) returns to conference action as they travel this Tuesday (October 26th) to the University of La Verne for a 7:30pm match.
