The Kansas City Roos lost a heartbreaking five-set match to the South Dakota Coyotes on Saturday. The team rallied from an early 0-2 deficit, and put up an impressive season-high in points and service aces. Kansas City also had seventy-three digs, their fifth-most in any match this season.
Set One
Kansas City took the early advantage of set one with three kills by senior De’Janae Arnold, giving the Roos a 3-0 lead. Kansas City’s third serve of the game and a kill by South Dakota junior Aimee Adams put South Dakota on the board.
Another Coyote kill and an attack error by sophomore Odyssey Warren gave South Dakota the next two points and tied the set 3-3.
For the majority of the match, neither team seemed able to edge out an advantage and the score remained closely locked.
The Coyotes ended up gaining a 20-16 lead late in the match, and the Roos were left fighting for points.
Kansas City was able to put up an admirable four additional points, but it wasn’t enough to keep up.
South Dakota took set one 25-20.
Set Two
In the first serve of the set, Kansas City gave away a point to South Dakota with a kill by Coyotes senior Madison Jurgens.
The Roos bounced back quickly, scoring all of the next five points in the set.
The set’s momentum continued to ebb and flow, and a serve from South Dakota sophomore Brooklyn Schram followed by a kill by Kansas City’s Alli Schomers tied the set at 15-15.
The Roos shortly found themselves in the same position as set one, facing a 20-16 deficit.
Kansas City again managed to score just four more points, and South Dakota claimed victory with a repeat 25-20 win.
Set Three
Kansas City struggled early in the third set as South Dakota jumped out to a 7-2 lead.
The Roos were unable to put points on the board, and the coaching staff made the decision to substitute a few players. The personnel change helped Kansas City get back on their feet, and the team started to rally against the Coyotes.
A huge kill by Schomers tied the set at 15-15, giving the Roos a fighting chance.
The score remained relatively the same until the Roos managed to seize their moment with a kill by Kansas City junior Bree Thompson, tying the set once again at 18-18.
The Roos had the last four serves of the set and converted the win, taking set three 25-21.
Set Four
Kansas City had the first serve of the set, but an attack error by Roos senior Melanie Brecka gave the first point to South Dakota.
The team had another attack error early, this time by UMKC junior Kennedy Schritenthal, which tied the set at 7-7.
The Roos fought back, and a kill from UMKC sophomore Odyssey Warren gave the team the next point.
As set four continued, Kansas City found themselves leading 18-17. A timely kill from Thompson and a hot streak of points stretched the Roos lead to 24-17.
South Dakota managed to claim two more points as Kansas City found their way to the top.
A service error gave Kansas City the point they needed to complete the 25-19 win and tie the match at 2-2.
Set Five
South Dakota sent over the first serve of set five, and UMKC senior Melanie Brecka sent over a fierce kill to put Kansas City on the board.
The Roos went two for two on the following serves, establishing a 3-0 lead.
Things became tense when an attack error by Thompson tied the score 9-9, opening the door for the Coyotes to take the lead.
South Dakota went on to hold the Roos at nine points for the remainder of the match, scoring six straight points to defeat UMKC 15-9.
Kansas City falls to 12-5 on the season with this loss, and the Roos will take on Oral Roberts at home on Saturday, Oct. 9.
