ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies lost to the IU Indy Jaguars this evening in three hard-fought sets at the OU Credit Union O'Rena.
SET ONE - OAKLAND 21, IU INDY 25
At the start of the first set of the evening, both the Golden Grizzlies and the Jaguars remained in close contest. However, the Jaguars eventually built some breathing room after scoring three-straight points, taking an 8-4 lead over Oakland.
Despite the early Jaguar lead, the Golden Grizzlies battled back to keep the first set within reach. After a massive kill from Libby Smith, who was assisted by Delaney Stern, the Golden Grizzlies found themselves just one point away from tying up the game.
Still, the Jaguars found a way to keep up with the Golden Grizzlies. Following Oakland's push for the lead, IU Indy responded by scoring four unanswered points, giving the Jaguars a slight lead over the Golden Grizzlies as the first set entered its final stages.
The Golden Grizzlies came within one point of the Jaguars multiple times in the closing moments of the set following a colossal kill from Ainsley Guse and an incredible block from Tyler Linkhart and Guse. However, IU Indy closed things out on top, winning the first set of the match, 25-21.
SET TWO - OAKLAND 23, IU INDY 25
The Golden Grizzlies and Jaguars remained closely contested at the beginning of set two. Neither team could pull ahead, and there were three lead changes and three ties, with Oakland in the driver's seat, 6-4.
As the set progressed to the halfway point, the Jaguars took the lead back from the Golden Grizzlies. IU Indy's Elle Patterson and Morgan Ostrowski got a block that shifted both the score and momentum in their favor, as the block sparked a 6-1 run for the Jaguars.
With the lead in favor of IU Indy, Oakland continued to fight back. With the Jaguar lead slowly closing, Linkhart had two straight kills to tie the game up for the Golden Grizzlies. On the next serve, Lillian Frias gave Oakland the lead with a kill.
Although the Golden Grizzlies had the lead late over the Jaguars, IU Indy went on a run in the set's final moments and ultimately won the night's second set, 25-23.
SET THREE - OAKLAND 14, IU INDY 25
The third set of the match started similarly to the previous two, with the Golden Grizzlies and the Jaguars unable to build any notable leads. However, IU Indy again broke the stalemate and took the early lead over Oakland, going ahead on a 7-1 run to give IU Indy the lead, 11-5.
Midway through set three, the Golden Grizzlies started to fight back, but the Jaguars continued to build on the lead they took over Oakland, improving their lead to 18-8.
Although the Golden Grizzlies were able to close the gap at some points, the Jaguar lead was far too big to overcome, as IU Indy won the third set and the game with a final score in the third set of 25-14.
Gentry Brown led Oakland in kills, with nine, while Emily Wichmann was the team leader in service aces, notching a season-high four aces. Additionally, Rachel Rossman and Stern led the Golden Grizzlies in assists, with both players adding 14 apiece to the stat sheet.
Next, the Golden Grizzlies will look to bounce back as they play another matchup against the Jaguars tomorrow, at the OU Credit Union O'Rena. The first serve is set at 2 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
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