The Basics
Bearkat Invitational
Score: Oral Roberts 3 – Nicholls State 0
Records: ORU (1-2) – Nicholls State (1-2)
Location: Johnson Coliseum (Huntsville, Texas)
 
HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Behind double-doubles from Kalena Vaivai and Trinity Freeman, the Oral Roberts volleyball team picked up the first win of the Luke Ward era with a sweep (25-18, 25-10, 25-13) of Nicholls State Saturday afternoon inside Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas.

Following the match, junior Thaynara de Jesus was named to the Bearkat Invitational All-Tournament team after registering a team-best 31 kills and 42 digs in the three matches. 

Vaivai orchestrated the offensive attack as the senior logged a match-best 30 assists to go along with 10 digs for her second double-double of the year. The senior also registered four kills on nine swings (.444) and three blocks in the win.

Freeman led all players with 12 kills and added 10 digs for her fourth career double-double. The sophomore, who reached double-digit kills for the 32nd time in her career, also totaled a .310 attack percentage in the match.

Shelbi Steen and de Jesus each contributed to the offensive attack with nine kills apiece. Steen also tallied a match-high three service aces. On the backrow, libero Breanna Rivas scooped up a match-best 17 digs. 

After the two sides traded the first 20 points in the opening set, the Colonels took a slim 12-10 advantage behind back-to-back aces. Following a timeout, the Golden Eagles rattled off seven straight points to take a 17-12 lead. The stretch gave ORU the cushion they needed as they went on to claim the first set, 25-18.

In the second, the Golden Eagles used a 6-1 run to seize momentum as they stretched their advantage from 6-5 to 12-6. After the two sides exchanged the next six points, ORU caught fire again as they tallied 10 of the final 11 points to take set two, 25-10. Steen had the hot hand from the service line for the Golden Eagles as the junior totaled all three of her aces in the set.

ORU continued to dominate in the third as they reeled off five straight points to open the game. Freeman led the charge during the run with two kills, while de Jesus tallied a kill and an ace. Later in the set, the Golden Eagles used a 5-1 stretch that was capped off by a Kedron Burk and Vaivai block to push their advantage to 19-9. The run put the set out of reach as ORU went on to win 25-13, finishing off the sweep. 

Match Notes

• As a team, the Golden Eagles registered a .333 attack percentage and seven aces.
• ORU logged 45 kills to Nicholls State's 18. 
• Four different Golden Eagles collected double-digit digs, led by Rivas' 17.
• Freeman registered her 32nd double-digit kill performance.
• Vaivai picked up her 12th double-double as a Golden Eagle.
• The senior also tied Burk for a match-high three blocks. 
• Steen tallied a match-best three aces, while de Jesus followed with two. 
• Jaxie Wakley contributed with six kills and two blocks in the win.
• Saturday's contest marked the sixth meeting all-time between ORU and Nicholls State.
• With the win, the Golden Eagles are now 6-0 against the Colonels. 

Up Next
ORU travels to Indianapolis, Indiana, September 1-2 for the Hampton Inn Invitational, hosted by IUPUI.
 
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