Ooks Defeat Thunder in Home Opener
On Friday night, the NAIT Ooks Women's Volleyball team took on the Concordia Thunder at the NAIT gymnasium.
The Ooks started the match with some incredible offensive plays, taking the lead early in the first set. With fantastic hits from number six Charlotte Vandenelzen. However, with the Ooks errors stacking up; the Thunder took the lead after trailing. There were some great defensive blocks from Ooks numbers twelve Tanisha McQueen and nine. Eventually, the Ooks could not stop the Thunder from taking the set with their fantastic offensive hits from number six Jolene Cooke. Thunder rallied and won the set with a number nine Tanisha Cronin.
Thunder won the set 25-17
Thunder leads the match 1-0
In the second set, neither team could hold the lead. The Ooks finally began to pull away with outstanding offensive and defensive plays with an incredible kill from Ooks number three Anika Dyck. Ooks continued to grow their lead. Nonetheless, the Thunder were able to slowly begin to close the gap with kills from number thirteen Kara McIntyre. The Ooks shut down the Thunder in their attempt to take the lead, winning a massive rally with an incredible hit from number six Charlotte Vandenelzen. The Ooks managed to hold their lead, winning the set.
Ooks won the set 25-21
The match is tied 1-1
In the third set, the Thunder managed to take an early lead; however, it didn't last long, with the Ooks swooping in on defence with great defensive plays and hits from number six Charlotte Vandenelzen. The Ooks defence was thriving in the back row with number fourteen Aysha Savoury at libero. The Ooks managed to create a nice gap between them and the Thunder, yet they weren't out yet, crawling their way back from a five-point deficit. Thunder tied the setup and managed to take the lead for the first time in the set with a great offensive play from ten Jenna May. Despite great momentum for the Ooks they could not take the lead, and the Thunder won the set.
Thunder won the set 25-19
Leading the match 2-1
In the fourth set, Ooks took an early lead, leaving the Thunder scrambling to catch up. They called a timeout as the Thunder struggled to protect against the Ook's offence. The Ooks refused to give up the lead as they continued to dominate the court with fantastic digs from eleven Anna Atcheynum. The Ooks continued to grow their lead, leaving the Thunder in a six-point deficit to climb out of. Ooks were on a roll with incredible kills from number thirteen Jessica Zillnski, and the Ooks were effectively shutting down the Thunder. Ooks held onto their lead till the end, winning the set.
Ooks won the set 25-19
Tieing the match 2-2
In the fifth set, Ooks started strong with a massive block from number thirteen Jessica Zillinski. However, the Thunder took the lead, causing the Ooks to call a timeout in hopes of quickly shifting the momentum. The set was neck and neck, back and forth with a fight for every point! Finally the Ooks managed to take the lead and win the set with incredible kills from number three Anika Dyck and eleven Anna Atcheynum.
Won the set 16-14
Ooks won the match 3-2