Volleyball 10/25/2011 9:38:00 PM

OCU scrapes past Mid-America

Cross increases season, career record dig totals

Victoria Cross picked up 14 digs on Tuesday against Mid-America Christian.

Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY – Victoria Cross added to her record dig totals in Oklahoma City University's 25-16, 25-23, 25-21 victory over Mid-America Christian on Tuesday at Abe Lemons Arena.
Cross, a senior libero from Oklahoma City, racked up 14 digs to improve her career and single-season record dig numbers. The Stars improved to 12-21, 5-6 in Sooner Athletic Conference volleyball.
On the year, Cross has posted 631 digs, while she has notched 1,349 digs in her career. Cross surpassed Shelbey Veselka's 2008 season total of 608 and Veselka's 1,327 career digs.
“Basically the libero leads the defense,” Cross said. “They are normally the best passer on the team, and they lead the defense and keep the team going and dig the ball. It just takes a lot of enthusiasm and focus.”
OCU coach Nikki Dieball said, “She's just a fierce competitor, and she is one of those players that I never have to worry about her consistency. She shows up and plays hard every single point of play, and she has been the stronghold of our defensive system.”
Against Mid-America, Raissa Santos, a senior from Sao Paulo, Brazil, topped OCU with nine kills and 18 digs. Alex Benbrook, a senior from Enid, Okla., added seven kills and two blocks, while Torrie Flynn, Meghan Irwin and Taylor Rowton each nailed six kills for the Stars.
Danielle Robison, a sophomore from Dallas, dished 33 assists with two aces for the Stars.
Flynn and Irwin knocked down back-to-back kills to provide OCU a 17-9 advantage en route to the first-set win.
In the second set, OCU erased Mid-America's 19-15 lead with six consecutive points. Santos' kill tied the set 19-19, then the Stars went ahead on Robison's ace. Jordan Battley's kill cut OCU's lead to 24-23, but Santos nailed a kill to put away the set.
In the third, OCU went on a 9-0 run to turn around a 19-12 deficit. Benbrook had two kills and a block during the run. Santos' kill tied the set 19-19, then Irwin had an ace to put OCU in the lead.
Calle Solie tied the set 21-21 with a kill, but OCU reeled off the match's final four points.
OCU meets John Brown (Ark.) at 7 p.m. Saturday in Siloam Springs, Ark.
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