St. Mary´s Volleyball Rolls to Second Straight Win, Defeats OPSU

Kori McCarver had five service to lead St. Mary's to a school-record 18 against OPSU on Saturday.

GOODWELL, Okla.—St. Mary’s used some hot hitting, serving and blocking to roll to its second straight victory, defeating Oklahoma Panhandle State University, 25-21, 23-25, 25-14, 25-19, in Heartland Conference volleyball action Saturday afternoon at Oscar Williams Arena.

Setting the tone in the match was the Rattlers serving. St. Mary’s set a four-set school record for service aces, picking up a total of 18 to top the previous record of 16, set against St. Edward’s in 2006. The total was also the second most for any length match in school history, with the record of 22 coming against OPSU in three sets during the 2004 season. Kori McCarver (Jr., San Antonio) and Sondra Cui (So., Schertz) each led the way individually with five aces each. The two each now are tied for third in a single match for aces.

The Rattlers and Aggies split the first two sets, both of which were back-and-forth hotly contested sets. However, St. Mary’s took over in the final two sets, running out to early leads and rolling to easy wins that clinched the match victory.

Katelyn Kershner (Jr., San Antonio) led the Rattlers with 13 kills and nine digs. McCarver added eight kills, seven digs and four blocks to her five aces. Stephanie Flores (So., San Antonio) led the defense with 11 digs.

With the win, St. Mary’s improved to 6-19 overall, 5-6 in Heartland Conference play and have won two straight matches. OPSU fell to 1-22 overall, 0-10. The Rattlers have never lost to OPSU. St. Mary’s will return to action on Wednesday when they host the University of the Incarnate Word at Bill Greehey Arena at 7 p.m. It will be a special night, as the Rattlers will host their annual “Dig Pink” night, with all proceeds going to breast cancer research.

St. Mary's (Texas) def. Oklahoma Panhandle 25-21,23-25,25-14,25-19

St. Mary's (Texas) (6-19) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Katelyn Kershner 13-2-2; Kori McCarver 8-5-4; Kirsten Chapman 6-0-3; Stephanie Crowell 6-0-5; Adrianna Keys 5-0-0; Luisa Rodriguez 3-0-0; Mallory Moeller 2-0-0; Stephanie Proske 1-0-0; Allie Murray 0-3-0; Sondra Cui 0-5-0; Stephanie Flores 0-3-0; Totals 44-18-8.0. (Assists) - Allie Murray 21; Sondra Cui 17. (Dig leaders) - Stephanie Flores 11; Katelyn Kershner 9

Oklahoma Panhandle (1-22) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Powell,Meredith 8-1-0; Drayer,Breanna 7-0-1; Bowron,Karyssa 7-0-0; Isleifson,Hillary 6-2-0; Roach,Krisha 5-3-0; Marshall,Melissa 4-0-1; Cheryl Coldwell 1-2-0; 8 1-0-0; Josey Peteron 0-0-1; Douglas,Chelse 0-2-0; Totals 39-10-2.0. (Assists) - Isleifson,Hillary 15; Cheryl Coldwell 14. (Dig leaders) - Bowron,Karyssa 15; Amanda Lopez 6

Site: Goodwell, Ok (Oscar Williams)
Date: Oct 24, 2009   Attend: 97   Time: 1hr 30m
Referees: Paul Ortega, Gene Segura