Volleyball Wins Season Opener

Friday, August 26

Bowling Green, Ohio

10:00 AM

University of Louisville

1-0

Oakland

0-1

Oakland

Louisville

August 26, 2016 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score

Cardinals down Oakland 3-1 at Bowling Green State Tournament

By: Nancy Worley

Freshman Melanie McHenry had 24 kills, an ace and two blocks in her collegiate debut as the University of Louisville volleyball team won its opening match with Oakland University 25-17, 27-25, 29-30, 25-19 at the Hampton Inn Classic at Bowling Green State.

"Oakland was scrappy and never gave us any breathing room and that made us play together," said UofL head coach Anne Kordes. "I thought it was fantastic how we bounced back after a tough loss in the third set and fell behind a bit in the fourth."

UofL hit .294 with five aces and five blocks. The Cardinals outdug Oakland 59-43, with both teams notching five aces apiece. Janelle Jenkins added 15 kills, three aces and two blocks for the Cardinals. The Grizzlies were led by Melissa Deatsch and Darien Bandel, who each had 14 kills. Oakland hit .217 and committed 15 service errors.

"Melanie McHenry had an exciting first, who is so fun to watch and is turning into our go-to hitter," said Kordes. "Ashley Pettibone's stats didn't show how much pressure she put on Oakland with her serving, keeping them out of system to set up our block. Our setter Kali Eaken looked smooth and confident."

The Cards popped out to a 4-1 lead early iden the first set but Oakland came back to tie at six. The teams traded points for much of the set until UofL went on an 8-1 run down the stretch to put up the 25-17 win. Freshman starter Melanie McHenry led the Cards with seven kills and three digs.

In the second set, the Cards did not lead until 19-18. Sparked by a Jasmine Bennett kill, the Cards got to set point at 24-20 but allowed Oakland to take a 25-24 lead. Kali Eaken ripped an ace and then Janelle Jenkins put away a ball that Melanie McHenry had chased out of bounds for the 27-25 win.

Oakland took the third set 31-29 in a game that saw 20 ties and eight lead changes and both teams getting to more than one set point. After Melanie McHenry had two straight kills to tie at 29, Oakland's Darien Bandel had two straight kills for the win. UofL hit .250 in the set led by McHenry's nine kills.

The fourth was another closely fought set as the Cardinals struggled early to get breathing room. After tying at 15, the Cardinals outscored Oakland 10-4 for the win.

UofL will play VCU at 4:30 this afternoon as the tournament continues.