SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Santa Clara University volleyball team once again proved its mettle Friday, keeping up with another big-name opponent, this time on its own home floor.
The Broncos narrowly dropped two of their three sets against visiting Oklahoma on the opening day of the Santa Clara Invitational, falling 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-22) at Leavey Center.
Julia Sangiacomo tallied her second 20-kill performance of the season Friday for the Broncos (3-4), leading all players with 20 kills and a .359 hitting percentage. She posted her first double-double of the season with 10 digs, and also added an ace and a block. Lexi Poppinga had eight kills and two blocks. Nive Tuileta collected 30 assists, two blocks, two digs and an ace.
Oklahoma (5-2) had three players with double-digit kills, led by Megan Wilson's 11. Callie Kemohah had a match-high 19 digs. The Sooners totaled 13 blocks as a team, with Kelsey Carrington tallying seven and Wilson notching six.
The Broncos jumped out to a dominant 7-1 lead in the opening set, but Oklahoma answered later with a 7-1 run of their own to take a two-point, 15-13 advantage. Santa Clara was up 23-20 and looking at taking a 1-0 match lead, but the Sooners would score five straight points with three kills and two blocks to come from behind and win the first set, 25-23.
Oklahoma used an early 7-0 run in set two to take a lead and never look back, winning 25-17 and going up 2-0 in the match. That momentum carried into the third set, but Santa Clara wouldn't be deterred. The Broncos trailed the third set, 7-3, then came back with a 9-2 run to go ahead, 12 -9. That run included four kills from Sangiacomo and three Oklahoma attack errors. Oklahoma pulled even at 14-14, 17-17, and 18-18, and Santa Clara tied the match at 21-21. And again the Sooners pulled away late, scoring four of the last five points to win the set, 25-22, and the match, 3-0.
The Santa Clara Invitational continues Saturday with matches at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Oklahoma will face Tulane at 2 p.m., followed by the Broncos facing Fresno State at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at SantaClaraBroncos.com. All live coverage links can be found on the Broncos' schedule page.
Connect with the Broncos on Social Media
Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Snapchat
Volleyball: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
