- 10-14 OVERALL, 2-10 BIG 12, HOME 1-5, 4-6 ROAD, 5-3 NEUTRAL 2003 SCHEDULE AUGUST 29 Cougar Challenge @ Washington State L (3-1) 0-1 30 vs Wichita State L (3-1) 0-2 30 vs San Francisco L (3-0) 0-3 SEPTEMBER 5 Chattanooga Invitational vs Drake W (3-0) 1-3 5 @ Tenn-Chattanooga W (3-1) 2-3 6 vs Limpscomb W (3-1) 3-3 6 vs LA-Monroe W (3-0) 4-3 12 Liberty University Invitational vs Elon W (3-0) 5-3 12 vs East Carolina W (3-2) 6-3 13 vs Morehead State L (2-3) 6-4 13 @ Liberty W (3-1) 7-4 16 @ Oral Roberts W (3-1) 8-4 20 @ Missouri L (3-0) 8-5 24 TEXAS L (3-0) 8-6 27 @ No. 9 Kansas State L (3-0) 8-7 OCTOBER 1 @ Baylor W (3-2) 9-7 4 NEBRASKA L (3-0) 9-8 8 IOWA STATE L (3-1) 9-9 11 KANSAS L (3-0) 9-10 15 @ COLORADO L (3-0) 9-11 17 TEXAS A&M L (3-0) 9-12 22 @ TEXAS TECH L (3-0) 9-13 29 BAYLOR W (3-2) 10-13 NOVEMBER 1 @ NEBRASKA L (3-0) 10-14 5 TEXAS TECH 7 P.M. 8 @ Texas A&M 7 p.m. 12 @ Kansas 7 p.m. 15 MISSOURI 7 P.M. 19 KANSAS STATE 7 P.M. 22 @ Texas 7 p.m. 26 @ Iowa State 7 p.m. 28 COLORADO 1 P.M. BOLD, ALL CAPS indicate home games. MEDIA RELATIONS Director: Kenny Mossman Volleyball Contact: Chris Freet Email: cfreet@ou.edu Office Phone: (405) 325-3671 Office Fax: (405) 325-7623 Website: SoonerSports.com Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Room 2525 180 W. Brooks Norman, Okla. 73019 THE WEEKLY SLATE TEXAS TECH Wednesday, Nov. 5 Howard McCasland Field House AT NO. 22 TEXAS A&M Saturday, Nov. 8 G. Rollie White Coliseum College Station, Texas 7 p.m. 7 p.m. THE LOWDOWN The Oklahoma (10-14, 2-10) volleyball team faces Texas (10-12, 2-11) at the Howard McCasland Field House on Wednesday night. Doors open at 6 p.m., with first serve set for 7 p.m. The first 200 fans in attendance will receive free OU volleyball team pictures. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children. It's also "Website Wednesday". Log on to Soonersports.com and receive a pop-up coupon for $3 off an adult-general admission ticket. OU faces a Texas Tech squad that is coming off a five game victory over Baylor. Ironically, the Sooners downed the Bears in five games on Wednesday at the McCasland Field House. Tech has struggled this season under first year head coach Nancy Todd. Despite Tech s struggles, junior outside hitter Kelly Johnson has continued to assault the Big 12 offensively. Johnson has a hefty lead over everyone in the Big 12 in kills per game with a 5.57 average. No other conference player is averaging more than five kills per game. Johnson was a First Team All-Big 12 performer in 2002 and is well on her way this season. In Tech s other match last week, it stole a game from Nebraska. Nebraska won the match but the Lady Raiders picked up a single game victory against the Huskers for the first time since 2000. The Lady Raiders received an emotional and physical boost with the return of senior middle blocker Angela Mooney last week. Mooney, the 2003 ROSTER only senior on the young squad, averages 2.53 kills per game while hitting at a.239 clip. Texas Tech leads the all-time series 32-11 and has swept the Sooners in the last 11 meetings, dating back to 1998. AS FOR THE SOONERS The Sooners put together a great all-around performance against Baylor on Wed, Oct. 29 but couldn t repeat the winning effort in a three game loss at No. 11 Nebraska, Sat., Nov. 1. OU picked up its fourth consecutive win against Baylor after going the distance with the Bears for the second straight time. Against Baylor the offense was led by sophomore Sheena Werling, who tallied 19 kills while hitting.405. Werling turned in an exceptional all-around performance with two aces, eight digs and a career-best five block assists. Werling continues to excel out of position, as she fills in at right side hitter for the depleted Sooners. Senior Christina Maynes notched her second double-double of the season with an 18 kill, 16 dig performance against Baylor. Fellow left sider Joanna Schmitt turned in her 10th double-double of the season with 24 kills and 13 digs. Keri Coats continue her smooth transition to middle blocker with nine kills, two aces, four digs and four block assists. Coats hit at a.350 clip and had just two errors on the night. Setters Rachel Jackson and Kelly McCarter led OU to a rally scoring team record 69 assists. Jackson turned in 45 assists, while McCarter had 19 helpers. FILLING IN, STEPPING UP OU head coach Kalani Mahi acknowledged at the beginning of the season that this team was the deepest he d ever had at OU. Mahi did point to middle blocker as one area the Sooners could not afford any major injuries. With the loss of Tomes for the season and Adams for an extended period of time, OU has shifted Coats and sophomore Jennifer Mosso into the # Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown (Last School) 2 Rachel Jackson S 5-9 Fr. Arlington, Texas (Arlington HS) 4 Laura Tomes MH 6-2 Fr. Sioux City, Iowa (Sioux City East HS) 5 Stephanie Tengram L 5-9 Jr.-TF Allen, Texas (Pittsburg State) 6 Kelly McCarter S 6-0 Sr.-TF Kerrville, Texas (Arkansas) 7 Christina Maynes OH 5-10 Sr. Choctaw, Okla. (Chrisian Heritage HS) 8 Joanna Schmitt OH 5-10 Fr. Cottage Grove, Wis. (Deerfield HS) 9 Jennifer Mosso MH 6-2 So. Mesquite, Texas (Poteet HS) 10 Anna Monsen S 5-9 Fr. Stoughton, Wis. (Stoughton HS) 11 Jennifer Adams MH 6-1 So. Livermore, Calif. (Livermore HS) 12 Yvette Villanueva L 5-10 Sr. New Braunfels, Texas (Incarnate Word) 13 Keri Coats OH/MH 6-4 Jr.-TF Twin Falls, Idaho (Southern Idaho JC) 14 Kelli Albers OH 5-11 Fr. Cheney, Kan. (Cheney HS) 15 Sheena Werling OH 5-10 So. Tiffin, Ohio (Calvert HS) Head Coach: Kalani Mahi (4th year, Graceland College) Assistant Coach: Josh Ivans (3rd year,graceland College) Assistant Coach: Christy Mahi (4th year, Graceland College)
OU QUICK FACTS OU QUICK FACTS Location: Norman, Okla. Enrollment: 28,954 Founded: 1890 President: David Boren Athletics Director: Joe Castiglione Senior Women s Advisor: Stephanie Rempe Nickname: Sooners Colors: Crimson & Cream Conference: Big 12 TEAM INFORMATION Facility: McCasland Field House Capacity: 2,000 OU s All-time Record: 515-529-7 2002 Overall Record: 6-22 Big 12 Finish: Ninth Big 12 Record: 4-16 NCAA Finish: N/A Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 5/9 Newcomers: Nine COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Kalani Mahi Alma Mater: Graceland College (Iowa) 1987 Record at OU(Years): 16-73 (3) Career Record (Years): 61-147 (6) Office Phone: (405) 325-8364 Office Fax: (405) 325-8362 Assistant Coach: Josh Ivans Alma Mater: Graceland College, 1999 Office Phone: (405) 325-8409 Assistant Coach: Christy Mahi Alma Mater: Graceland College, 1992 Office Phone: (405) 325-8365 STARTERS RETURNING Christina Maynes, OH (Sr., 3.0 kpg, 2.16 dpg) Sheena Werling, OH (So., 1.86 kpg, 1.12 dpg) Jennifer Mosso, OH (So., 1.84 kpg, 0.9 bpg) Jennifer Adams, MB (So., 1.52 kpg, 0.68 bpg) Yvette Villanueva, LB (Sr., 1.27 dpg) MEDIA RELATIONS Volleyball Contact: Chris Freet Phone: 405-325-3671 Fax: 405-325-7623 E-mail: cfreet@ou.edu Internet: SoonerSports.com middle. Coats, who hasn t played middle since high school, has been exceptional since switching positions to middle blocker. Coats was averaging 2.14 kills per game while hitting.300 and collecting 1.14 blocks per game at middle blocker prior to the Nebraska match. Coats had one of her worst outings as a Sooner while hitting -.181 and collecting just two kills at Nebraska on Saturday. Sophomore Sheena Werling has hit the ground running since replacing Coats at right side hitter. Werling is averaging 3.18 kills per game and hitting.297 since the move. The five match hot streak has upped her season hitting percentage from.173 to.198. Coach Mahi has moved senior Christina Maynes back to outside hitter, after playing 11 matches at defensive specialist. In nine contests since returning to the outside, Maynes has averaged 3.13 kills per game. The team numbers haven t fallen off drastically since the lineup change either. Below is a comparison of the season numbers before Adams and Tomes went down and the team totals since: Before After KPG 13.49 13.59 Hitting %.188.171 Assists 12.01 12.59 Aces 1.59 1.35 Digs 13.53 12.59 Blocks 2.49 2.06 SCHMITT BREAKS KILLS RECORD Early in the second game against Baylor, Joanna Schmitt notched her eighth kill of the match and broke the rally scoring single season record of 342 kills held by Logan Pierce. Schmitt has 370 kills on the season and is on pace to record 493 kills this season. PRESEASON POLL Team Votes 1. Nebraska 93 2. Texas 87 3. Kansas State 86 4. Texas A&M 72 Missouri 72 6. Kansas 50 7. Colorado 46 8. Baylor 35 9. Texas Tech 29 10. Oklahoma 19* 11. Iowa State 11 *OU was 10th in the 2002 preseason poll. BIG12 STANDINGS QUICK HITS With 10 matches remaining the Sooners have 209 total blocks, which already tops the 180 posted by the Sooners in 2002. At their current pace, OU would record 278 total blocks this season. OU has won four consecutive matches against Baylor for the first time since 1996-97, when they swept both season series. The Sooners lead the all-time series 19-11. OU s four match win streak against Baylor is its longest current streak against any Big 12 opponent. OU hit above. 200 eight times last season. The Sooners have hit above.200, 12 times this season and in 12 of the last 21 contests, including both matches with Baylor. OU has hit above.200 four times since the beginning of conference play. OU is 8-4 when it hits above.200 and 2-2 when they reach the mark in conference this season. WALK-ON STARTER The biggest surprise of the season for OU is the emergence of walk-on freshman Rachel Jackson. She leads OU with 8.41 assists per game and has broken the five game assists record three times. Jackson broke the record for the third time with 56 at Baylor, Oct. 1. The freshman from Texas set the previous marks against East Carolina (52) and Morehead State (54). She broke on to the scene against Tennessee-Chattanooga when coach Mahi pulled senior Kelly McCarter and put in Jackson who tallied 40 (13.3) assists in three games of action. RECORD TURN OUT The Oklahoma volleyball team enjoyed a crowd of 3,162 for their match against No. 22 Texas A&M. The crowd spurned the Sooners on as they battled the Aggies tooth and nail. OU has never had a crowd larger than 2,000 turn out for a match. The crowd ranked in the top-10 for the week and was the 46th best turnout in the NCAA this season. BIG 12 STANDINGS Big 12 Overall Kansas State 12-1 22-3 Nebraska 11-2 20-3 Texas A&M 9-3 17-5 Missouri 9-4 16-6 Colorado 7-6 15-8 Kansas 6-6 14-9 Texas 6-7 11-11 Iowa State 3-10 10-13 Baylor 3-10 11-15 Texas Tech 2-11 10-12 Oklahoma 2-11 10-14
AVCA POLL School Points Record Last 1 USC (65) 1,625 22-0 1 2 Hawai'i 1,550 24-1 2 3 Florida 1,503 24-1 3 4 Pepperdine 1,421 19-2 5 5 Kansas State 1,289 22-3 7 6 UCLA 1,263 19-4 8 7 Georgia Tech 1,238 23-1 4 8 Stanford 1,173 17-5 9 9 California 1,169 19-3 6 10 Nebraska 996 20-3 11 11 Washington 964 15-7 10 12 Notre Dame 831 19-2 14 13 Northern Iowa 715 20-4 12 14 Santa Clara 713 16-8 15 15 Colorado State 634 20-4 16 16 Penn State 608 20-4 17 17 Loyola Marymount 605 22-4 13 18 San Diego 457 17-6 18 19 UC Santa Barbara 446 15-6 19 20 Minnesota 443 17-7 23 21 Texas A&M 393 17-5 21 22 Wisconsin 282 17-6 20 23 Louisville 247 15-4 22 24 Cincinnati 130 23-2 NR 25 Missouri 73 16-6 24 Others receiving points and listed on two or more ballots: Southwest Missouri State 58, Maryland 45, Michigan State 44, Ohio 38, Florida A&M 35, Illinois 35, Arkansas 26, University of San Francisco 22, Arizona 16, Long Beach State 9 BROADCAST SCHEDULE Eight of OU s 10 home conference matches will be aired on SoonerSports.com s O Zone. Viewers can watch television-quality live streaming video as well as access live stats. For more information visit the official web site of Oklahoma athletics. Below is a complete schedule: Sept. 24 Oct. 4 Oct. 8 Oct. 11 Oct. 17 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 19 Nov. 28 Texas Nebraska Iowa State Kansas Texas A&M Baylor Texas Tech Kansas State Colorado ADAMS NEARING RETURN Sophomore Jennifer Adams, sidelined since Oct. 11, is making significant strides in her rehab from a sprained ankle. Adams could return to OU lineup in the next two weeks. DOUBLE-TROUBLE Joanna Schmitt has gone to the well for doubledoubles on 10 occasions this season. Schmitt s total ranks as the 10th best mark in the Big 12 and the top number among Big 12 rookies. Below is list of the top individuals in the conference: 1. Schwartz, Baylor 13 2. Carr, Colorado 12 Brittany Dalager, Iowa State 12 4. Rome, Kansas 11 Johnson, Tech 11 Munsch, A&M 11 L. Jones, A&M 11 Danru, Mizzou 11 Saleaumua, Nebraska 11 10. Joanna Schmitt, OU 10 11. Skypala, A&M 9 Correa, Kansas 9 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Outside hitter Joanna Schmitt is a favorite for Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Schmitt leads all freshman in kills per game (4.30) and is second in digs per game (2.60). She is ranked No. 4 in the Big 12 in kills per game and is third since the beginning of conference play (4.51 KPG). ASSAULTING THE RECORD BOOK In 24 career matches Joanna Schmitt has led OU in total attacks 23 times, kills 21 times and digs seven times. She is on pace to break a number of records. With eight matches remaining she already owns the OU rally scoring kills record with a current total of 370. Schmitt is on pace to record 493 kills this season, the eighth best single-season total in OU volleyball history, regardless of scoring system. The favorite target of OU s setters is on pace to take 1,354 swings this year, a mark that would rank fifth in OU history. At her current pace Schmitt will easily top 400 kills and 300 digs. Only six players in OU history have turned in 400 kills and 300 digs in a single season, while only five Sooners have ever recorded a 500-300 season. Her projected digs total of 300 is another OU rally scoring record and would place her just outside the top 10 on OU s all-time list. Schmitt only needed 19 matches to pass 2002 kills leader Megan O Connell (289) and is already third on the OU rally scoring career kills list. TOMES OUT WITH KNEE INJURY In what is a crushing blow to OU s frontline, freshman middle hitter Laura Tomes is out for the season with a torn ACL in her right knee. Tomes, who was a Fab 50 prepster, led OU with a.291 hitting percentage and is third on the squad with a kills per game average of 2.39. She also ranked No. 6 in the Big 12 with 1.15 blocks per game before sustaining the injury. Tomes tore the ACL in her right knee in high school. BLOCK PARTY Despite a frontline that currently is devoid of Tomes and Adams, who started every game at the position until Oct. 8, the Sooners continue to be one of the best in the Big 12 in blocking. OU averages 2.40 blocks per game (seventh in the Big 12) and has five individuals averaging 0.67 blocks per game or better. OU has recorded 15 or more total blocks on four occasions this season, that mark was never reached in 2002. Sophomore Jennifer Adams (1.22) is fourth in the Big 12 in blocks per game, while freshman Laura Tomes is sixth (1.15). Keri Coats and Kelly McCarter average 0.74 and 0.82 blocks per game, respectively. ADAMS BREAKS ASSISTS MARK Jennifer Adams broke the single season rally scoring block assists record of 78 held by Candice Woods. Adams recorded three block assists before going down with an ankle injury against Kansas on Oct. 11. She has 81 block assists on the season. Adams has 134 career block assists (81 this season) and is 12 away from the career record of Candice Woods (146). Junior Keri Coats is closing in on Adams and Woods with her current season total of 66. MANY SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT OU is projected to easily top all of its numbers from last season. OU s averages are up in every category and the improvement has been significant in every area except digs. The biggest improvement has come in kills, where OU averaged 12.68 in 2002 and is up nearly one kill per game at 13.51. At their current pace, the Sooners would record 399 more kills this year than last year (1593 to 1167). IN THE O ZONE Sooner fans can catch nine of the ten home matches this season on SoonerSports.com s O Zone. Fans can also see live video when the Sooners travel to Kansas State and Nebraska this season. MAYNES HITS 500-500 MARK OU senior Christina Maynes moved into first place on the OU career rally scoring digs list with 15 digs in a double-double effort at Baylor (10/1). She passed 2002 graduate Denise Griffin who had 461 and stands alone at the top with 546. Maynes took over sole possession on the OU career rally scoring kills list after recording 15 kills during Cougar Challenge play. She now has 545 kills in her career. She is the only Sooner in rally scoring history (since 2001) to reach 500 in either category.
CAREER HIGHS Jennifer Adams- sophomore middle hitter Kills....................13 (vs. Grambling State 9/13/02) Total Attempts......19 (twice, last ast @ Chattanooga 9/5/03) Hitting Percentage...........500 (vs. East Carolina 9/12/03) Assists............................2 (@ Tulsa 9/14/02) Aces....................4 (vs. Louisiana-Monore 9/6/03) Digs..............................2 (@ Tulsa 9/14/02) Block Solos......................2 (@ Kansas 9/21/02) Block Assists................8 (vs. East Carolina 9/12/03) Keri Coats- junior middle hitter Kills.............................15(@ Baylor 10/1/03) Total Attempts....................41 (@ Baylor 10/1/03) Hitting Percentage.................538 (vs. Drake 9/5/03) Assists.................2 (three times, last vs. Lipscomb) Aces............................4 (@ Baylor 10/1/03) Digs...........................6 (vs. Lipscomb 9/6/03) Block Solos...1 (three times, last vs. Morehead State 9/13/03) Block Assists......7 (four times, last @ Texas Tech 10/22/03) Rachel Jackson- freshman setter Kills.....................2 (vs. Morehead State 9/13/03) Total Attempts.....2 (twice, last vs. Morehead State 9/13/03) Hitting Percentage........1000 (vs. Morehead State 9/13/03) Assists..................56 (vs. Morehead State 9/13/03) Aces...........................3 (vs. Baylor 10/30/03) Digs....................15 (vs.morehead State 9/13/03) Blocks Solo....................1 (@ Colorado 10/15/03) Block Assists................6 (vs. East Carolina 9/12/03) Christina Maynes- senior outside hitter Kills...........................19 (@ Baylor 11/30/02) Total Attempts.....................49 (@ Tulsa 9/14/02) Hitting Percentage...............600 (vs. Bradley 8/31/02) Assists..................3 (five times, @ Baylor 10/1/03) Aces..........................3 (vs. Kansas 10/26/02) Digs.........................19 (vs. Kansas 10/26/02) Block Solos.................2 (vs. La-Lafayette, 8/31/01) Block Assists................4 (vs. Oral Roberts 9/10/02) Kelly McCarter- senior setter Total Attempts...........13 (@ Washington State 8/29/03) Kills...............5 (twice, last vs. Wichita State 8/30/03) Hitting Percentage...........667 (vs. Texas A&M 10/17/03) Assists..........................37 (vs. Drake 9/5/03) Aces......................1 (vs. Wichita State 8/30/03) Digs...................13 (@ Washington State 8/29/03) Block Solo...........1 (twice, last @ Oral Roberts 9/16/03) Block Assists....................7 (vs. Lipscomb 9/6/03) Anna Monsen- freshman setter Assists.........................7 (@ Missouri 9/24/03) Digs...................10 (vs. Morehead State 9/13/03) Jennifer Mosso- sophomore middle blocker Kills....................... 15 (vs. Iowa State 11/6/02) Total Attempts................40 (vs. Iowa State 11/6/02) Hitting Percentage.............370 (vs. Kansas 10/26/02) Assists................1 (twice, last vs. Kansas 10/26/02) Aces........................1 (vs. Iowa State 11/6/02) Digs.........................4 (vs. Iowa State 11/6/02) Block Solo..............1 (twice last vs. Kansas 10/26/02) Block Assists....................9 (vs. Missouri 11/2/02) Joanna Schmitt- freshman outside hitter Kills........................... 21 (@ Liberty 9/13/03) Total Attempts............68 (vs. Morehead State 9/13/03) Hitting Percentage.................333 (vs. Elon 9/12/03) Assists......................3 (@ Chattanooga 9/5/03) Aces....................4 (vs. Louisiana-Monroe 9/6/03) Digs...................18 (@ Washington State 8/29/03) Solo Blocks............1 (twice, last @ Colorado 10/15/03) Block Assists..............3 (twice, last vs. East Carolina) PLAYER BIOS # 11 Jennifer Adams Out indefinitely with a sprained ankle that she injured against Kansas (10/11)... Ranked third in the Big 12 with 1.22 blocks per game... Has already broken the OU rally scoring single season block assists record of Candice Woods (78) with 81 this season... Has at least five total blocks (BS+BA) in 11 of 19 matches this season... Recorded at least five block assists in nine matches...play in every game (69) of every match (19) before going down with ankle injury... Leads the Sooners with 81 block assists this season... Was hitting.666 with six kills before sustaining injury against Kansas (10/11)... Set a new career-high by hitting.500 (10-1-18) against East Carolina in the Liberty University Invitational... Set a new career-high with four aces against Louisiana Monroe... Recorded 20 total blocks during the Chattanooga Invitational... Set a career-high with six block assists against Lipscomb and at Washington State. #14 Kelli Albers Seen game action against Lipscomb and Elon... Has one attack error, one attack and one assist this season. #13 Keri Coats Moved to middle blocker against Kansas (10/11) to replace the injured Laura Tomes and Jennifer Adams... Averaged 2.3 kills per game, 1.3 blocks per game and.325 hitting percentage during first four matches at middle blocker... Had just two errors at middle blocker in her first two matches at the position... 10th in the Big 12 with 0.37 aces per game... Fourth on team in kills per game (2.00) and second (behind injured Tomes) in hitting percentage (.211)... Only Sooners to play in every game (87) of every match (24)... The more she sees the ball, the more effective the Sooners are... Has seven or more kills in 14 matches... Stellar in rematch with Baylor (10/29) as she recorded nine kills, two aces, four digs and four block assists... Set new career-highs in kills (15), attacks (41), aces (4) and block assists (7) against Baylor (10/1)... Had just eight errors over seven matches (Sept. 6-16) prior to recording three errors against Missouri... Named to the Liberty University Invitational all-tournament team... Pounded 12 kills in home opener against Texas (9/24), tying season high.. Recorded then season-high 12 kills against Liberty (9/5)... Has two error free matches with seven plus kills (Drake, Lipscomb) on the season... Standout match against Oral Roberts with eight kills,.318 hitting percentage, two aces, four digs, one solo block and six block assists... Hit.538 in Chattanooga Invitational against Drake, with seven kills and no errors on 17 attempts... Recorded new careerhighs in every category except aces during Chattanooga Invitational... Recorded eight kills in Sooner debut against Washington State. # 2 Rachel Jackson Surprise story of the season... Recorded four straight double-doubles in a week s span (9/13-9/20)... Has been ranked as high as No. 9 in the Big 12 in assists per game... Second on the team with seven double-doubles... Coaches have run a modified 5-1 to get Jackson and senior Kelly McCarter on the court at the same time... Had 45 assists in five game victory over Baylor (10/29) and helped Sooners to team record 69 assists... Notched seventh double-double with 44 assists and 10 digs against Iowa State... Turned in best match of the season against Baylor, when she recorded 56 assists, 12 digs, one ace and two block assists... Has broken the OU rally scoring five game assist record three times... Set the new mark thanks to 56 assists at Baylor... Previously had upped the record to 52 against East Carolina and 54 against Morehead State... Recorded team-high 40 assists in three games against Tenn.-Chattanooga (9/6)... Also recorded first career double-double with 11 digs against Chattanooga... Ran a modified 5-1 system with McCarter in final two matches of Chattanooga Invitational... Subbed into final match of Cougar Challenge against San Francisco and made immediate impact in debut... Assisted on 12 kills during game two against Dons, which was an OU tournament single game-high. #7 Christina Maynes Has filled a number of roles for the Sooners this season... Has averaged 3.13 kills per match since returning to the outside in last nine matches... Owns the OU rally scoring career records for kills and digs... Third on the squad with 2.10 digs per game... Recorded second double-double of the season with 18 kills, 16 dig effort against Baylor (10/29)... Tallied 15 kills in losing effort to No. 22 Texas A&M (Oct. 17)... Clutch play led OU to victory over Baylor... Turned in best match of her career against Baylor with 19 kills, 15 digs and one ace... Started season at outside hitter, moved to defensive specialist and moved back to the outside against No. 9 Kansas State... Turned in the best performance of any Sooner in her return to the left side against No. 9 Kansas State (9/27), where she had six kills and 13 digs... collected first double-digit performance of the season with 17 digs against Morehead State... Came off the bench to collected eight kills against Washington State and seven against Wichita State. #6 Kelly McCarter Running a modified 5-1 with freshman setter Rachel Jackson... Nagging back injury held her out of four matches (Oct. 1-11)... OU is 7-7 when Jackson and McCarter run a modified 5-1 and share setting duties... Turned in 19 assists and helped team to OU rally scoring single game assists record of 69 against Baylor (10/29)... Had stellar match against No. 22 Texas A&M with four kills,.667 hitting percentage and 17 assists... Solid performance against No. 9 Kansas State (9/27) with 10 assists, two block assists and one kill... Consistent against ORU with two kills, 15 assists, three digs, one solo block and two block assists... Had 21 assists and five block assists in OU s four game thumping of Liberty... Stellar with 37 assist in sweep of Drake... Ran modified 5-1 system with Rachel Jackson in final two matches of Chattanooga Invitational... Flourished against Louisiana-Monroe as she recorded 18 assists... Collected 34 assists in each of the first two matches in the Cougar Challenge... was pulled out of the San Francisco match so that freshman Rachel Jackson could see time at setter... team co-captain. #10 Anna Monsen Will play primarily at defensive specialist this season... Being groomed to set in the future... Takes extra reps daily after practice... Has seen minimal time in the last six matches... Filled in as
CAREER HIGHS Stephanie Tengram- senior libero Total attempts..................1 (vs. Nebraska 10/4/03) Kills..........................1 (vs. Nebraska 10/4/03) Assists..........................4 (@ Baylor 10/1/03) Aces`..........................3 (vs. Baylor 10/30/03) Digs.......................11 (vs. Iowa State 10/11/03) Laura Tomes- freshman middle hitter Kills........................... 17 (@ Liberty 9/13/03) Total Attempts................30 (@ Chattanooga 9/5/03) Hitting Percentage.......619 (vs. Louisiana-Monroe 9/6/03) Aces..........................2 (vs. Lipscomb 9/5/03) Digs..................5 (twice, last vs. Lipscomb 9/5/03) Block Solo...............2 (@ Washington State 8/29/03) Block Assists....................9 (vs. Lipscomb 9/5/03) Yvette Villanueva- senior libero Total attempts...................6 (vs. Kansas 10/26/02) Kills................1 (twice, last @ Chattanooga 9/5/03) Assists.........................1 (vs. Bradley 8/31/02) Aces..................2 (twice, last vs. Missouri 11/2/02) Digs........................17 (vs. Iowa State 11/6/02) Sheena Werling- sophomore outside hitter Kills....................20 (vs. Morehead State 9/13/03) Total attempts............53 (vs. Morehead State 9/13/03) Hitting Percentage...............474(@ Missouri 9/20/03) Assists.....................2 (vs. Wichita State 8/30/03) Aces....................6 (vs. Louisiana-Monroe 9/6/03) Digs.......................14 (@ Chattanooga 9/5/03) Block solos.............2 (vs. Loyola Marymount 8/31/02) Block Assists....................5 (vs. Baylor 10/29/03) RECORD BREAKING A number of OU rally scoring records have been broken this season, below is a listing of the rally scoring records set this season: Team Three Games Hitting %..............364 (37-9-77) vs. Elon 9/12/03* Four Games Kills........................73 @ Liberty 9/13/03* Hitting %...........289 (73-27-159) @ Liberty 9/13/03 Block Assists................30 vs. Lipscomb 9/6/03* Five Games Hitting %............256 (63-23-156) vs. ECU 9/12/02 Assists.....................69 vs. Baylor 10/29/03 Block Assists............30 vs. East Carolina 9/12/03* Total Blocks.............16 vs. East Carolina 9/12/03*....................16 vs. Morehead State 9/13/03* Individual Three Games Kills.........Schmitt...........18 vs. Drake 9/5/03 Hitting %.....Tomes...........619 vs. ULM 9/6/03* Aces........Werling.............6 vs. ULM 9/6/03* Four Games Kills.........Schmitt....23 vs. Oral Roberts 9/16/03^ Block Assists..Tomes.........9 vs. Lipscomb 9/6/03# Five Games Kills.........Schmitt..........26 vs. Baylor 10/1/03 Kills.........Werling.....20 vs. Morehead St. 9/13/03 Block Assists.. Adams......8 vs. Morehead St. 9/13/03............Tomes...........8 vs. Baylor 10/1/03 Assists......Jackson....54 vs. Morehead St. 9/13/03............Jackson..........56 vs. Baylor 10/1/03 Attacks......Schmitt.....68 vs. Morehead St 9/13/03 * indicates that the total is a single match best # indicates the record is shared right side hitter against Kansas (10/11)... Set career-high with seven assists against Missouri... reached double figures for the first time in her Sooner career with 10 digs against Morehead State in the Liberty University Invitational... Posted high of eight digs against San Francisco in the Cougar Challenge... featured in Sports Illustrated s Face in the Crowd in Aug. 25 issue for her accomplishments as a high school sprinter. #9 Jennifer Mosso Replaced the injured Laura Tomes and Jennifer Adams at middle blockers... Recorded six block assists against Kansas (10/11)... Will team with Keri Coats as the Sooners new front line... Saw first action of the season in two matches at Chattanooga Invitational. #8 Joanna Schmitt At midpoint of the season Schmitt is a favorite for Big 12 Freshman of the Year... Fourth in the Big 12 with 4.30 kills per game... Leads all Big 12 freshman in kills per game, while ranking second in digs per game... Leads OU in kills per game (4.30) and digs per game (2.60)... Led OU in kills 19 of 21 matches... Has team-high 10 double-doubles on the season, which is the 10th best total in conference... Recorded double-digit kills in all but two matches, with 15 or more 16 times... Notched 10th double-double of the season with 24 kill, 13 dig performance against Baylor (10/29)... Turned in team-high 16 kills and 10 digs against No. 22 Texas A&M... Nearly tied her own OU rally scoring four game record with 22 kills in four game loss to Iowa State (10/11)... Averaged 5.29 kills per game for the week of Oct. 5-12, which led the Big 12... Broke the OU single match and five game kills record with 26 against Baylor (10/4)... Clutch double-double (26 kills, 13 digs) led Sooners back from 2-1 deficit at Baylor... Set a new career-high with 23 kills against Oral Roberts... Turned in double-double in three consecutive matches from Morehead State to Oral Roberts (9/13-9/16)... Led Big 12 in kills per game in conference only matches through the first week of the season, now ranked No. 2 (4.57 KPG)... Despite hitting in negative numbers, collected eight kills and eight digs at No. 9 Kansas State (9/27)... Pounded 15 kills in home debut against Texas (9/24)... Turned in 17 kills in Big 12 debut against Missouri (9/21)... Best match of the nonconference season came against Oral Roberts with 23 kills and 15 digs... 23 kills against ORU tied the OU four-game rally scoring kills record of Logan Pierce (2000)... Averaged 19.3 kills per match in the final three games of the Liberty University Invitational... Rested against Elon in opening match of Liberty University Invitational.. Erased all of her career-highs with new numbers during the Chattanooga Invitational... Named Chattanooga Invitational MVP after averaging 4.57 KPG and 3.14 DPG... Set OU rally scoring record with 18 kills in three game victory over Drake... Collected 20 kills against Tennessee Chattanooga... Recorded double-double in collegiate debut with 10 kills and 18 digs against Washington State... Named to the Cougar Challenge All-Tournament Team. #5 Stephanie Tengram Has scene regular time in the last seven matches, averaging 1.00 digs per game during that span... Had team-high two aces at No. 11 Nebraska (11/1)... Collected career-high three aces against Baylor (10/29)... Reached double-digits for the first time in her career with 11 digs against Iowa State (10/11)... Recorded six digs at Baylor (10/1) and four digs against No. 7 Nebraska (10/4)... Saw first action of the season in game four of match against Lipscomb... Played in two matches at the Liberty University Invitational. #4 Laura Tomes Out for the season with a torn ACL... Still ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 1.15 blocks per game... Led OU with.291 hitting percentage, third in kills per game (2.39) and second in blocks per game (1.15)... Owns four of the top seven hitting percentages under the rally scoring system at OU... Had seven matches with at least five block assists... Tops on the team with eight solo blocks... Tied Jennifer Adams five game rally scoring record with eight block assists at Baylor (10/1)... Tomes (1.17) and Adams (1.22) combined blocks per game average is higher than OU team average (1.92) in 2002... Recorded the third highest hitting percentage since inception of rally scoring system with.611 (13-2-18) performance at Missouri (9/20)... Earned all-tourney honors at the Liberty University Invitational... Hit.404 Liberty invite with averages of 2.76 kills per game and 1.14 blocks per game... Jumped her hitting percentage from.262 before the LUI to.316 after... Hit.370 during the Chattanooga Invitational, including record tying.619 performance in sweep of Louisiana-Monroe... averaged 3.29 kills per game during Chattanooga Invitational... Turned in five kills and two solo blocks during collegiate debut against Washington State... Averaged 1.00 BPG during Cougar Challenge. #12 Yvette Villanueva Has played in 86 of 87 games this season... Recorded double-digit digs in 10 of 24 matches... Turned in team-high 16 digs at No. 11 Nebraska (11/1)... Consistent with nine digs against Baylor (10/29)... Turned in match-high 10 digs against Texas Tech (10/22)... Coach Mahi felt her eight dig performance against No. 22 Texas A&M may have been the best match of her Sooner career... Had just two digs in first two games against Oral Roberts, only to rebound with 10 in the third game and 16 in the match... team co-captain. #15 Sheena Werling Switched to right side attacker to replace Keri Coats who has shifted to middle blocker... Second on the team in kills per game (2.94) and fourth in digs per game (2.03)... Averaged three plus kills per game since moving to the right side... Hitting.297 since changing positions and averaging 3.18 kills per game... Outstanding against Baylor with 19 kills, eight digs and five blocks... Has three double-doubles on the season, which is third on the squad behind Schmitt and Jackson... Recorded double-digit kills in five consecutive matches (9/12-9/20), averaged 14.8 kills per match during that stretch... Stellar against Oral Roberts with 14 kills and 11 digs... Pounded career-high 20 kills, plus 13 digs against Morehead State... Werling averaged 3.24 kills per game in the Liberty University Invitational, easily the best four match stretch of her career... Set an OU record with five aces against Drake (9/5), only to break record with six aces against UL-Monroe (9/6)... Recorded the first double-double of her career with 16 kill, 14 dig performance against UT-Chattanooga... rebounded from inconsistent opener to hit above. 200 in final two matches of Cougar Challenge...
OU HEAD COACH KALANI MAHI OU HEAD COACH KALANI MAHI Oklahoma Head Coach Kalani Mahi is in his fourth year at the helm of an accomplished Sooner volleyball program and hopes are high for success in the very near future. Mahi returns five starters and adds nine newcomers in 2003. The coaching staff is coming off its best recruiting class and what they think may be the best in OU history Coach Mahi is assisted by his wife, Christy Mahi and Josh Ivans. All three have ties to their alma mater, Graceland College, where each got their start in volleyball at the collegiate level. Mahi s squads have excelled academically throughout his tenure at the school, picking up 12 Academic All-Big 12 honors (33 percent of his teams) and consistently ranking among the highest team GPAs of all OU athletic teams. Mahi came to OU after completing two seasons as the top assistant at Illinois State under former Redbird head coach Julie Morgan. Mahi helped lead ISU to two consecutive second-place finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference, highlighted by an NCAA at-large bid in 1998. Before assisting at Illinois State, Mahi served as the head coach at Bradley University from 1995-97, guiding the Braves to three consecutive Missouri Valley Conference Tournament appearances, a first in school history. He joined the Braves' coaching staff as an assistant in 1992 and was promoted to the head position in 1995. No stranger to success on the court, Mahi headed up successful programs at both Bradley (1995-97 as head coach & 92-94 as assistant) and Illinois State (1998-99). He has also played competitively indoor and outdoor and has been a part of teams that have finished fifth and seventh in the USA Volleyball Open National Indoor Championships. The 1987 graduate of Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, Mahi began his coaching career by serving as an assistant coach at the University of Mississippi for two years. While there, he earned a master's degree in physical education in 1990. Following his stay at Ole Miss, Mahi traveled to Tasmania, Australia, to coach and play professionally. While playing and working for the Tasmanian Volleyball Association, Mahi was responsible for the development and promotion of indoor and beach volleyball throughout the state. In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Mahi has helped develop some of the nation's top young volleyball talent as a coach and clinician for the USA National Development Camps in the Midwest for the past 15 years. Kalani and Christy Mahi are the fifth husband-wife coaching duo in OU history and the ninth in the history of the American Volleyball Coaches' Association (AVCA). They begin their ninth season together, starting at Bradley in 1995, moving to Illinois State through 1999 and now in their fourth year at Oklahoma. The couple recently welcomed a new addition to the family on June 25, 2003, with the birth of their second daughter Halia Aloha O Na Pua Mai Ole Anais. Tayah Kealohilaniikamahinala'ila'i, who was born on June 17, 2000, is a proud three-year old big sister. OU in the BIG 12 TEAM Hitting Percentage 1. Missouri.263 10. Oklahoma.185 11. Iowa State.175 Opponent Hitting Percentage 1. Nebraska.126 5. Texas A&M.203 6. Oklahoma.209 Assists 1. Texas A&M 15.10 10. Iowa State 12.24 11. Oklahoma 12.15 Kills 1. Texas A&M 16.51 10. Iowa State 13.78 11. Oklahoma 13.51 Blocks 1. Nebraska 3.09 7. Oklahoma 2.40 8. Iowa State 2.29 Service Aces 1. Missouri 2.15 5. Colorado 1.57 6. Oklahoma 1.54 Digs Per Game 1. Texas A&M 17.17 10. Baylor 14.02 11. Oklahoma 13.34 INDIVIDUAL (TOP 10) Kills Per Game 1. Kelly Johnson, TT 5.57 4. Joanna Schmitt, OU 4.30 5. Tisha Schwartz, BU 4.23 Service Aces 1. Mira Topic, UT 0.52 9. Juliana Godoi, MU 0.38 10. Keri Coats, OU 0.37 Blocks Per Game 1. Melissa Elmer, NU 1.65 3. Jennifer Adams, OU 1.22 5. Laura Tomes, OU 1.15 CONFERENCE ONLY Kills Per Game 1. Kelly Johnson, TT 5.33 2. Bethany Howden, UT 4.92 3. Joanna Schmitt, OU 4.51 Assists Per Game 1. Lindsey Hunter, MU 12.86 10. Rachel Jackson, OU 8.20 Service Aces 1. Mira Topic, UT 0.50 8. Keri Coats, OU 0.34 CHART CLIMBERS (Current Sooners on career rally scoring lists) Kills 1. Christina Maynes 545 2. Candice Woods 437 3. Joanna Schmitt 370 4. Logan Pierce 342 5. Sheena Werling 297 6. Megan O Connell 289 7. Denise Griffin 274 8. Lindsay Hoyt 188 9. Keri Coats 174 10. Laura Tomes 160 11. Jennifer Adams 147 12. Jennifer Mosso 131 Aces 1. Jessica Barney 73 2. Christina Maynes 43 Digs 1. Christina Maynes 546 2. Denise Griffin 461 3. Jessica Barney 443 4. Lindsay Hoyt 328 5. Yvette Villanueva 317 6. Joanna Schmitt 224 Solo Blocks 1. Candice Woods 27 2. Logan Pierce 16 3. Christina Maynes 12 4. Gretchen French 11 5. Laura Tomes 8 6. Jennifer Adams 7 Block Assists 1. Candice Woods 146 2. Jennife Adams 134 3. Jessica Barney 70 4. Laura Tomes 68 5. Jennifer Mosso 71 Keri Coats 71 Italics indicate current OU volleyball team member. SINGLE SEASON ENDANGERED LIST (Current Sooners projected to approach or set new OU single season rally scoring records) R= Record P= Projected C= Current Record O= Old Record Kills R- Logan Pierce 342 2001 P- Joanna Schmitt 493 2003 Aces R- Jessica Barney 43 2001 P- Keri Coats 43 2003 Digs R- Logan Pierce 263 2001 P- Joanna Schmitt 300 2003 P- Yvette Villanueva 290 2003 Block Assists C- Jennifer Adams 81 2003 O- Candice Woods 78 2001 P- Keri Coats 89 2003
MISCELLANEOUS NUMBERS Double-Doubles Joanna Schmitt 10 24 kills, 13 digs vs. Baylor 10/29/03 16 kills, 10 digs vs No. 22 Texas A&M 10/17/03 22 kills, 10 digs vs. Iowa State 10/8/03 26 kills, 13 digs @ Baylor 10/1/03 23 kills, 15 digs @ Oral Roberts 9/16/03 21 kills, 11 digs @ Liberty 9/13/03 19 kills, 15 digs vs. Morehead State 9/13/03 11 kills, 13 digs vs. Louisiana Monroe 9/6/03 20 kills, 14 digs @ UT-Chattanooga 9/5/03 10 kills @ Washington State 8/29/03 Rachel Jackson 7 44 assists, 10 digs vs. Iowa State 10/8/03 56 assists, 12 digs @ Baylor 10/1/03 22 Assists, 10 digs @ Missouri 9/20/03 29 Assists, 10 digs @ Oral Roberts 9/16/03 54 assists, 15 digs vs. Morehead State 9/13/03 34 assists, 11 digs @ Liberty 9/13/03 40 assists, 11 digs @ UT-Chattanooga 9/5/03 Sheena Werling 3 14 kills, 11 digs @ Oral Roberts 9/16/03 20 kills, 13 digs vs. Morehead State 9/13/03 16 kills, 14 digs @ UT Chattanooga 9/5/03 Christina Maynes 2 18 kills, 16 digs vs. Baylor 10/29/03 19 kills, 15 digs @ Baylor 10/1/03 Kelly McCarter 1 34 assists, 13 digs @ Washington State 8/29/03 20 Kills Joanna Schmitt 6 24 vs. Baylor 10/29/03 22 vs. Iowa State 10/8/03 26 @ Baylor 10/1/03 23 @ Oral Roberts 9/16/03 21 @ Liberty 9/13/03 20 @ UT Chattanooga 9/5/03 Sheena Werling 1 20 vs. Morehead State 9/13/03 RECAPS WASHINGTON STATE (8/29) OU head coach Kalani Mahi's young Sooner volleyball squad went into the Cougar Classic and stole the second game from No. 19 Washington State (1-0) on Friday night before finally succumbing to the Cougars in four games (30-27, 27-30, 30-25, 30-20). After a disappointing 2002 season, the young Sooners (0-1) showed promise against the Cougars who reached the Elite 8 last year. "I saw very good signs of brilliance tonight," said Mahi. "We weren't as consistent as we'd like to be, but our freshman and Keri Coats were very good." Oklahoma was led by freshman outside hitter Joanna Schmitt who recorded team highs in kills, 10, and digs, 18. Senior Christina Maynes and junior-transfer Keri Coats collected 8 kills apiece, while Coats added four block assists. The Sooners were solid at the net on defense where they collected a game-high 16 block assists to go along with three solo blocks. Freshman middle hitter Laura Tomes recorded two solo blocks, one block assist and five kills in her collegiate debut. "Keri had a good match," said Mahi. "She was consistent and played a very sound game. Both freshman, Joanna (Schmitt) and Laura (Tomes), did not play like freshman." Despite a hitting percentage of.000 (10K-10E- 37TA) in the first game, OU led most of the game until WSU went ahead at 23-22. OU returned the favor by winning the second game 30-27 after falling behind 10-2 early. The Sooners couldn't sustain momentum in front of the hostile crowd of 963 and lost the final two sessions (30-25, 30-20). Saturday afternoon but the feedback continues to be positive. The Sooners won the first game 31-29 over Wichita State (1-1) before dropping the final three sets, 30-23, 30-14, 36-34. Freshman Joanna Schmitt impressed again with a team-high 16 kills, while junior-transfer Keri Coats had another solid outing with eight kills on a.222 (8K-3E-22TA) hitting performance. Schmitt, who has led the Sooners in kills in both matches this season, continues to be the Sooners go-to attacker and their most consistent passer. She collected nine digs on Saturday afternoon after posting 18 on Friday night. The rookie has recorded 75 totals attacks, while no other Sooner is above 50. Defensively, OU continued its dominance at the net with two solo blocks and 21 block assists. Freshman Laura Tomes totaled six block assists, one solo block, and five kills. Senior setter Kelly McCarter collected five block assists, one solo block and 34 assists for the second consecutive match. OU has out blocked both of its opponents this season. OU's downfall against the Shockers was on both ends of serving. OU had 12 service errors as opposed to five aces, while the Shockers tallied 14 aces. OU senior Christina Maynes moved into sole possession of first place on the career rally scoring kills list with a seven kill outing. She now has 440 kills in her career and moved past former Sooner Candice Woods who held the lead at 437. OU's offensive attack improved as they hit.122 (45-29-131), following the.075 performance on Friday evening. 40 Assists Rachel Jackson 6 44 vs. Baylor 10/29/03 44 vs. Iowa State 10/8/03 55 @ Baylor 10/1/03 54 vs. Morehead State 9/13/03 52 vs. East Carolina 9/12/03 40 @ UT Chattanooga 9/5/03 15 Digs Joanna Schmitt 3 18 @ Washington State 8/29/03 15 @ Oral Roberts 9/16/03 15 vs. Morehead State 9/13/03 Christina Maynes 3 16 vs. Baylor 10/20/03 15 @ Baylor 10/1/03 17 vs. Morehead State 9/13/03 Yvette Villanueva 3 16 @ Nebraska 11/1/03 16 @ Oral Roberts 9/16/03 16 vs. Lipscomb 9/6/03 Rachel Jackson 1 15 vs. Morehead State 9/13/03 "We outblocked the No. 19 team in the country," said Mahi. "We knew that the added talent would help us at the net and we were effective in our game plan." Senior-transfer Kelly McCarter was efficient in her debut, tallying 34 assists and 13 digs. Sophomore middle hitter Jennifer Adams didn't get set much but was effective when the ball came her way. She recorded five kills on ten attempts good for a game-high.400 hitting percentage. Maynes is now five kills shy of sole possession of first place on the OU career rally scoring kills list. Leading the Cougars attack was freshman Jennifer Todd who racked up 12 kills and was only outdone by senior Zanda Bautre who collected 13. Freshman Kristen Carlson was the third WSU player to reach double digits in kills with 10. "We are very optimistic about our chances tomorrow and all season," said Mahi. "We are playing at a different level than we have the last few seasons." WICHITA STATE (8/30) The Oklahoma volleyball team (0-2) dropped another four game match at the Cougar Challenge The Shockers had four players with double-digit kills led by senior Jackie Brown with 17. Sara Younes and Darci Yohs collected 12 kills, while Elizabeth Meyers added 11. SAN FRANCISCO (8/30) The Oklahoma (0-3) volleyball team was swept by San Francisco (3-0) in its final match of the Cougar Challenge in Pullman, Wash. The Sooners fell to the Dons, who won the Cougar Challenge tourney title, despite another outstanding effort from freshman outside hitter Joanna Schmitt. "We are disappointed in the way we finished but there were a lot of bright spots this weekend," said OU head coach Kalani Mahi. "Our blocking was a high point. We didn't work extensively on our blocking during the preseason, yet we still outblocked two of the teams we faced." Schmitt was named to the Cougar Challenge All- Tournament team after another standout performance against the Dons. Schmitt finished a breakout weekend with 11 kills and five digs. The rookie from Cottage Grove, Wis., began her Sooner career as OU's offensive leader in all three matches.
"Our freshman and newcomers all stood out," said Mahi. "Joanna's outdone freshman expectations and was the leader of our offensive attack this weekend. She, and all the freshman, did an excellent job of handling the stress and pressure this weekend." Sophomre Sheena Werling pounded eight kills, a personal best on the weekend, and five digs. Juniortransfer Keri Coats led OU with three service aces, something that Mahi saw as a high point. "We served very well this weekend," said Mahi. "It was definitely one of the high points." After decisively outblocking Washington State and Wichita State, OU did not outblock San Francisco but its net play was still consistent. Sophomore middle blocker Jennifer Adams tallied three block assists and one solo block, to go along with three kills. DRAKE (9/5) The Oklahoma volleyball team notched its first win of the season as they swept Drake 30-24, 30-26, 30-17 Friday afternoon in the Chattanooga Invitational. Freshman Joanna Schmitt set an OU rally scoring three game record with 18 kills in the match. "It's nice to get our first win," said OU head coach Kalani Mahi. "The big difference from last weekend was in our passing. Our consistency improved a lot." Schmitt, who has led OU offensively early in the season, also turned in a team-high nine digs. Schmitt, who was wild offensively in the Cougar Challenge last weekend, hit.316 with just six errors on the match. Junior-transfer Keri Coats hit.538 with seven kills and no attack errors on the match. Coats also contributed four block assists and one solo block. "We need to get her the ball more," said Mahi. As a team OU hit.282 (47K, 15E, 100TA) and tallied 38 digs. Leading the defensive effort with Schmitt was senior captain Yvette Villanueva who posted seven digs at libero. Senior-transfer Kelly McCarter recorded 37 assists (12.3 per game) for a new season-high. Sophomore Sheena Werling tied an OU rally scoring three game record with five service aces. Werling tied the records of 2002 graduates Megan O Connell and Jessica Barney. Schmitt s kill record broke the marks of senior Christina Maynes, who recorded 16 kills in a three-game match on two different occasions in 2002. OU, 1-3, handed Drake, 3-1, its first loss of the season. The Bulldogs won the Pepsi/Super 8 Invitational hosted by Eastern Illinois last weekend. TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA (9/5) The Oklahoma volleyball team beat host Tennessee- Chattanooga Friday evening in the Chattanooga Invitational and are now the only unbeaten team remaining in the field. OU improves to 2-3 on the season, while the Lady Mocs drop to 2-3 after the Sooners four game victory (25-30, 30-25, 30-21, 30-27). Outside hitters Joanna Schmitt and Sheena Werling both recorded double-doubles, while freshman setter Rachel Jackson came off the bench to run the Sooner offense. This was our best match of the season, said OU head coach Kalani Mahi. When we pass consistently we are successful and tonight was an example of that. Joanna and Sheena were our best passers and hitters tonight. Schmitt led OU in kills for the fifth consecutive match and recorded the second double-double of her young career. The freshman from Deerfield, Wis., pounded out 20 kills to go along with 14 digs, two aces and two block assists. Werling got in on the offensive action with 16 kills, 14 digs and one solo block. The story of the match was the emergence of freshman setter Rachel Jackson who recorded 40 (13.3 per game) assists in three games of action. Jackson replaced senior Kelly McCarter and notched a double-double of her own with 11 digs as well. After recording eight errors in the game one loss, the Sooners, under Jackson offensive leadership, tallied just 16 errors in the final three games. Rachel was outstanding off the bench tonight, said Mahi. Her strength is in her passing consistency and she was very good tonight. Freshman middle hitter Laura Tomes picked up 13 kills, to go along with one solo block and two block assists. Junior-transfer Keri Coats and sophomore Jennifer Adams contributed eight and five kills, respectively. Adams had five block assists for the second consecutive match, while Coats collected one solo block and four block assists. Tennessee Chattanooga sat back and ran a defense centered system against the Sooners. The Lady Mocs hoped to take advantage of mistakes on OU s part. The approach gave UTC a 86-79 advantage in digs, but was unsuccessful in the win column It was good to play a team that ran an opposite system as us, said Mahi. We didn t capitalize on their approach in game one and it cost us. Once we adjusted and played a more patient brand of volleyball we were successful. Chattanooga ran the same system as San Francisco who we lost to last weekend. It was great to see the team adjust and control the match after game one. LIPSCOMB (9/6) The Oklahoma volleyball team survived a poor passing outing to defeat Lipscomb 3-1 (30-22, 30-23, 24-30, 30-17) in Chattanooga Invitational action Saturday morning. OU improves to 3-3 on the season and remains undefeated in the tournament, Lipscomb falls to 1-5 and is winless in the tourney. Oklahoma will play for the Chattanooga Invitational Championship at 1 p.m. against Louisiana-Monroe, who OU swept in 2002. "It feels good to get a win but we're not happy with the way we played," said OU head coach Kalani Mahi. "We had a stellar blocking game, which gave us control of the match. Lipscomb countered by tipping and rolling at the net and we became tentative in the game three loss." As Mahi mentioned, the blocking was exception for OU who set a rally scoring record with 30 block assists. Leading the defensive effort was freshman Laura Tomes who collected nine block assists, which tied an OU rally-scoring four-game record. Tomes, who had 13 kills and hit.276 (13K-5E-29E), was one block assist away from her first career double-double. Joining Tomes on defense at the net was sophomore Jennifer Adams with six block assists and senior setter Kelly McCarter with seven block assists. Adams, who entered the weekend No.5 in Big 12 blocks per game, has recorded five or more block assists in three straight matches and in four of OU's contests this season. Freshman Joanna Schmitt, who has led OU in kills in every match this season, recorded a teamhigh 15 kills and hit at a.268 (14-4-41) clip. Schmitt also tallied eight digs. Keri Coats, who has been error free in 33 percent of the Sooners matches, pounded seven kills and hit.412 (7-0- 17). OU ran a modified 5-1 system (generally one setter) so that Kelly McCarter and upstart freshman Rachel Jackson could both see time at setter. Jackson again led OU with 30 assists, while McCarter totaled 14. Jackson also turned in nine digs, while senior captain Yvette Villanueva contributed a team-high 15 digs. OU had 44 unforced errors on the match which accounted for 48 percent of the Lady Bisons points. "We gave them too many points," said Mahi. "I would estimate that 60 percent of their points came from our errors in game three. We are going to work very hard to correct this problem." LOUISIANA-MONROE (9/6) The Oklahoma volleyball team won the Chattanooga Invitational Championship thanks to a 3-0 (30-21, 30-18, 30-28) victory over Louisiana-Monroe Saturday afternoon. Freshman Joanna Schmitt was named the tournament MVP, while fellow rookie Laura Tomes was named to the all-tournament team. The win is the fourth consecutive for OU and bumps its record to 4-3 on the season. "This afternoon was a good match and the most relaxed the team has been all season," said OU head coach Mahi. "We started very strong and really controlled the match." Schmitt earned MVP honors thanks in part to her second double-double of the tournament (11 kills and 13 digs). She averaged 3.9 kills per game and 3.2 digs per game over the weekend. For the first time this season Schmitt did not lead OU in kills against the Lady Indians, that honor went to Tomes. The freshman middle hitter collected 15 kills and tied an OU rally scoring record by hitting.619 (15K-2E-21TA) on the match. Coincidentally, her performance ties the mark of 2002 graduate Megan O'Connell who set the record with a 14 kill performance against Louisiana Monroe last season in the Ewing Grover Olds/GMC Invitational (Tulsa, Okla.). "I am proud of the way the freshmen and newcomers handled themselves," said Mahi. "They