Jessica Oldenburg, left, totaled 10 blocks in the loss to Houston. |
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Volleyball Falls to Houston
Oct. 9, 2004
Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte 49ers volleyball team dropped a five-set match to conference rival Houston on Saturday night at Halton Arena, despite recording 20 total blocks. The Cougars prevailed by scores of 30-26, 29-31, 28-30, 30-25 and 15-13.
Houston (4-12, C-USA 3-1) led 8-6 at the side change of game five, and would eventually push out to a 14-10 advantage. However, Charlotte (14-7, C-USA 1-3) staved off three match point opportunities, closing to within one at 14-13 on a block by newcomers Cori Dayton and Robin Joseph. Sophomore outside hitter Kelly McAnelly then atoned for two straight attack errors by spiking down the match point for the Cougars.
Charlotte led two games to one after taking the second and third games. Houston came out aggressively with an early 11-5 lead in game four, eventually stretching the margin to 24-16. Four straight points by the 49ers, including an overpass kill that followed a diving save by Dayton, cut the margin to 24-20. The Cougars regrouped to outscore Charlotte 6-5 down the stretch, earning the right to play a fifth game on a service error by the Niners.
Outside hitter Abbey Szlanfucht and middle blocker Lisa Newell led the Niners with 17 kills apiece, while sophomore Jessica Oldenburg added 10. Oldenburg established a career high with 10 total blocks, including nine block assists, and added to hear team lead with two more service aces.
Joseph, a junior transfer, also added a career-high nine block assists. Senior setter Molly McDonald recorded 56 assists and seven total blocks, six assisted, for Charlotte. The team had 20 total blocks, including 36 block assists.
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Kariny Ritter, who totaled 21 kills, keyed a balanced attack for Houston that saw four players record double figure kill totals. Neither team hit well in the match, with Houston holding a .212 to .156 advantage. Charlotte committed 34 hitting errors, while Houston totaled 33.
Charlotte continues Conference USA play on the road next weekend. The 49ers visit St. Louis on Friday, October 15 for an 8 pm Eastern match. The following night they play at Memphis in another 8 pm EST start.
