Sooners Open Season With Sweep Of UW-Milwaukee

The University of Oklahoma volleyball team opened its 2013 season with a 3-0 sweep over UW-Milwaukee at the Holiday Inn West Invitational, hosted by Western Michigan, Friday afternoon. Senior middle blocker Sallie McLaurin led all players with a match-high 17 kills, while hitting .517.

The Sooners bested the Panthers 25-16 in the first and 25-17 in the second before dominating the third, 25-11.

OU held a narrow 9-8 lead in the first set and went on to close out the set on a 16-8 run fueled by two kills from McLaurin, senior outside hitter Keila Rodriguez and freshman Micaela Spann.

In the second, the Sooners led 8-7 before rattling off six straight points on McLaurin's serve. As a team, Oklahoma hit a match-best .406 in the third. For the match, the Sooners hit .356 to Milwaukee's .095.

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Sophomore setter Julia Doyle dished out 30 assists, while senior libero Eden Williams picked up a team-high 10 digs.

Sophomore outside hitter Kierra Holst finished second on the team with nine kills. Spann totaled a match-high four blocks in her collegiate debut.

Rachel Neuberger led Milwaukee with eight kills and a .400 attack rate, while Taylor Golabowski collected a match-best 14 digs.

The Sooners return to action tomorrow with a day-night doubleheader. Oklahoma takes on Northwestern at 9:00 am CT, followed by a 6:00 pm contest against host Western Michigan