Oregon State
2-1
Kansas State
3-0
Volleyball Edged In Five-Set Thriller At No. 22 Kansas State
August 25, 2012 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 25, 2012
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Four different Oregon State players posted double figures in kills but the Beavers were edged in a five-set (24-26, 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 8-15) loss to No. 22 Kansas State Saturday night at Ahearn Fieldhouse.
The Beavers and Wildcats were tied at five midway through the final set but Kansas State got separation with a six-point run to go up 11-6. Oregon State (2-1 overall) was unable to come within more than five points through the rest of the set.
Oregon State was led by Camille Saxton and Laura Schaudt, who each had 13 kills. For Schaudt, it set a career-high, surpassing her previous best of 10 earlier in the day against UC Irvine.
Saxton was named to the Varney Invitational All-Tournament Team, along with Ashley Eneliko.
Arica Nassar had 12 kills to go along six blocks, including two solo. Eneliko also had 11 kills in the loss.
Oregon State finished the match with a .211 hitting percentage compared to .224 for the Wildcats. OSU also had 12 blocks to nine for Kansas State (3-0).
Kaitlynn Pelger paced the Wildcats with 22 kills while Lilla Porubek had 21.
"First of all, that was a great match," Oregon State head coach Taras Liskevych said. "I'm proud of this team, they really fought hard. This is a tough place to play that has great ambiance. The crowd is into it. That is a veteran team we played led by seniors and juniors that went to the Sweet 16 last year."
Kansas State took a closely-fought set one, 26-24. Both teams managed at least one run of four points, and the Beavers held a 23-22 advantage late.
Schaudt and Allie Rogers each had four kills in the set as the Beavers hit .146. Pelger paced Kansas State with seven kills; the Wildcats posted a .213 percentage.
Both teams posted double figures in assists in the first set: Tayla Woods had 13 of the Beavers' 14 while Caitlyn Donahue accounted for 15 of the Wildcats' 17.
The second set contained much of the same with the Beavers holding on for a 25-23 win. OSU rode a five-point run to a 10-7 lead but saw Kansas State chip away and tie the set late, 19-19. The teams proceeded to trade the next eight points before OSU put the Wildcats away with the final two.
Oregon State hit a healthy .355 during the set compared to a .256 mark for Kansas State. Camille Saxton led OSU with five kills during the frame.
The Beavers took a 2-1 advantage into the fourth set after a hard-fought third set that was won, 25-23. OSU captured the win on a Kansas State attempted block that rode the net all the way out of bounds. OSU led late, 20-16, before Kansas State pushed to a 1-point deficit at 24-23.
The Beavers hit .250 during the set and held Kansas State to a .157 mark. Arica Nassar was big during the set, claiming four kills and three blocks, two of which were solo. Ashley Eneliko also had four kills while Schaudt and Saxton each chipped in with two.
Kansas State rallied to take the fourth set, 25-23. OSU held an 18-14 lead late but saw the Wildcats post a five-point run to take a 1-point lead. The Beavers later went up 20-19 but could not overcome a three-point Kansas State swing to help seal the set.
Nassar and Schaudt each had three kills in the set to pace the Beavers, who hit .200 as a team. The Wildcats hit .167 but posted two service aces.
Oregon State opened up play Saturday with a 3-1 win over UC Irvine. The Beavers won set one 25-22, set three 25-19 and set four, 25-22. The Anteaters took set two, 25-20.
Nassar led OSU with 12 kills in the first match, while Saxton and Schaudt each had 10. For Schaudt, that set a career high that was later broken against Kansas State.
Martie Massey also set a career-best with a team-leading 21 digs against UC Irvine.
The Beavers next travel to Normal, Ill., for a two-day tournament hosted by Illinois State. OSU takes on Miami (Fla.) on Friday followed by Presbyterian and Illinois State on Saturday. Visit osubeavers.com for stats and notes regarding the Redbird Classic.
Season Tickets On Sale
Season and single-match tickets for the Beavers' 2012 campaign are now on sale.
Season tickets are $56 for adults and seniors/children (aged 62 or older or ages 3-18) are $40. Adult single-match tickets are $7, while children are $5. Groups of 20 or more can purchase tickets for $2 per.
Fans can purchase tickets in person at the Gill Coliseum ticket office, over the phone by calling 1-800-GOBEAVS or online at beavertickets.com.
For more information on the Oregon State volleyball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/BeavsVolleyball or by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateVolleyball.
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