Team's win-streak ends despite out playing Oklahoma

The 16th-ranked K-State volleyball team dominated the stat sheet Wednesday, but Oklahoma left Ahearn Field House with a 3-2 victory (30-16, 28-30, 26-30, 30-16, 13-15).

Coach Suzie Fritz said K-State had a win in its grasp but could not find a rhythm.

"We had every opportunity to win," Fritz said. "We out hit them, out blocked them, out dug them, and out served them in every statistical category."

After trailing 1-2, the Wildcats' came back and forced a fifth game. The Sooners won game five when freshman Lauren Mathewson could not return an Oklahoma serve.

K-State finished the match with 72 team kills, led by junior outside hitter Rita Liliom, who tallied 23.

Liliom said she was pleased with her 23 kills but was looking for the win foremost.

"I think we played our game when we won," Liliom said of games one and four. "Other than that, I think we need to play better and stay together."

Liliom recorded a team-high four aces, followed by senior setter Stacey Spiegelberg, who tallied two. Spiegelberg led the Wildcats in assists with 59.

"Rita is awesome," Spiegelberg said. "She did great tonight. She is a consistent player and has been doing really well for us."

The Sooners' keep their Big 12 Conference win-streak alive, with a 3-0 in league play. Spiegelberg said losing hurt because the Wildcats' stat sheet was more impressive.

"We just didn't come out like we should have," Spiegelberg said. "We came out kind of tentative and weren't aggressive. We have to be consistent to win these Big 12 matches."

Game five was tight and the score was tied 13-13 after a Liliom kill. Fritz said the Wildcats struggled in similar pressure situations earlier in the season.

"We had a game plan, and we didn't execute late in game five," Fritz said.

Coming into the match, K-State was rolling with five-straight sweeps, but Fritz was more concerned with the victories.

"You guys are the ones talking about the sweeps," Fritz told reporters. "We are just trying to win as many as we can."

The Wildcats' next match will be Sept. 22 as the team heads to Colorado.