By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Phoenix, Ariz.---Despite 25 kills from Macy Reigelsperger (Coldwater/Coldwater, Ohio), the No. 9 Owens Community College women's volleyball team dropped a 23-25, 12-25, 25-23, 22-25 decision to No. 17 Kirkwood Community College in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament Round of 16 tonight.
Owens started the match strong and led 19-13 in the first set following back-to-back kills from Ally Mikesell (St. Henry/St. Henry, Ohio). Kirkwood responded by scoring nine of the next 11 points to take a 22-21 lead. Ashley Pleiman's (Fort Loramie/Fort Loramie, Ohio) stuff block tied the set at 22 apiece, and a Kirkwood attack error gave Owens a 23-22 lead.
Kirkwood, however, won the next three points to take the first set.
Owens scored the first two points of the second set, but Kirkwood pounced on Owens and scored 25 of the set's next 35 points to take a two set advantage.
Reigelsperger started to take control in the third set. The sophomore middle blocker had nine kills in the set, including two on back-to-back points to break a 23-all tie and keep Owens alive.
Reigelsperger kept it going in the fourth set as she picked up two more kills and Owens led 6-3. Later, she had five kills over seven set points to give Owens a 16-13 lead. A Kirkwood attack error gave Owens its largest lead of the set at 18-14.
Kirkwood rallied with three straight points before Taylor Purcell (Bedford/Temperance, Mich.) picked up a kill to give Owens a 19-17 lead. Once again, though, Kirkwood rallied for three straight points to take the lead. The team's then exchanged points capped by Reigelsperger's 25th kill to tie the match at 22.
Following the late set theme, though, Kirkwood rallied for the set's final three points via a four hit error by Owens, a block of an Owens attack and a kill.
Full stats will be posted once they are available.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Kirkwood advances to the quarterfinals tonight against Des Moines Area Community College. Owens, meanwhile, drops into the consolation bracket and will face Sauk Valley Community College at 2 p.m. ET tomorrow.