The Golden Grizzlies faced a tough challenge this past Saturday, losing to Northern Kentucky University (NKU) in a three-set match at Regents Hall.
Set One
The Norse opened the first set with intense energy, quickly establishing a lead that Oakland found hard to close. NKU executed powerful serves and aggressive attacks that caught Oakland off guard. The Golden Grizzlies had difficulty organizing their offense, and eventually, the Norse pulled too far away, which resulted in the Norse taking the first set with a final score of 25-12.
Set Two
Oakland came into the second set and showed glimpses of potential, with Tyler Linkhart playing a pivotal role in their offensive efforts. She placed her attacks strategically, leading to some crucial points early in the set that Oakland needed. The Golden Grizzlies managed to exchange points throughout. Still, the Norse started to get back into their groove, exploiting gaps in the Golden Grizzlies’ defense. Ultimately, the Oakland offense couldn’t remain consistent, dropping set two, 25-14.
Set Three
The third set mirrored the earlier ones. Northern Kentucky didn’t change up their game plan. There were signs of Oakland attempting to rally, leveraging their serve with Rachel Rossman having the first service ace to open set three.
The serves from Rossman put pressure on the Norse and was a jumpstart to getting some offense going. Sydney Green dominated at the net and the game also saw the defense for Oakland start to click. Still, the match remained close. The momentum from the game’s early stages for NKU never seemed to have left, and they secured the three-set match victory, 27-25.
Linkhart led the way with nine kills for the Golden Grizzlies, while Libby Smith added six of her own to the stat sheet. Christina Bohm and Green contributed four and three kills, respectively.
Game Stats
The Norse registered 60 digs compared to Oakland’s 43, which stifled the Golden Grizzlies’ offensive momentum. The Golden Grizzlies recorded eight blocks, showcasing their defensive efforts at the net. There was also a disparity in assists, with Oakland managing 24 compared to NKU’s 42. Overall, the team had 27 kills to Northern Kentucky’s 43.
Despite the loss, there were bright spots, particularly led by Emily Wichmann, who contributed to the Golden Grizzlies’ 43 digs. Her ability to read plays and keep the ball alive was a significant asset, even as the team faced challenges in other statistical areas. Service aces were competitive, with Oakland recording three to NKU’s five.
What’s Next?
With determination and focus, the Golden Grizzlies will look to bounce back and deliver a strong performance against Wright State on Friday, Nov. 15. The first serve will be at 6 p.m., and the game will take place on the home floor at the OU Credit Union O’Rena. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team, and students are expected to show their school spirit by wearing gold. For those unable to attend in person, the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+.