Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Victoria Cross joined the 30-dig club in Oklahoma City University's 25-19, 19-25, 25-21, 25-21 victory over Sterling (Kan.) on Saturday at the Collins Center in the Baker Invitational.
The Stars evened their season record in volleyball at 6-6 with a 25-16, 25-19, 25-9 win over Ottawa (Kan.) later Saturday.
Cross, a senior from Oklahoma City, notched a career-high 30 digs against Sterling. Cross eclipsed her previous single-match high of 28 vs. Bethel (Kan.) on Aug. 27. Her career high entering this season had been 26 against Bryan (Tenn.) on Oct. 16, 2010.
“Tori was incredible,” OCU coach Nikki Dieball said. “She made plays I didn't think were possible. Our defense has been strong all year.”
Shelbey Veselka became the last OCU player to rack up 30 digs, tying the single-match OCU record with 34 at Southern Nazarene on Oct. 14, 2008. Past Stars to reach the 30-dig mark were Veselka, Nicole Gruenbacher, Meghann Turner and Maryna Verbovetska. Those five combined for nine 30-dig performances in OCU history. The American Volleyball Coaches Association recognized three 30-dig performances among the NAIA in 2009.
The Stars put together 5-0 and 7-1 advantages en route to the third-set win. OCU built a 7-1 lead during the decisive fourth set.
Rowton, a senior from Edmond, Okla., and Santos, a senior from Sao Paulo, Brazil, each had a team-high nine kills against Ottawa. Cross picked up 14 digs, while Gentry and Santos each registered 10 digs. Robison, a sophomore from Dallas, accumulated 32 assists and eight digs.
OCU put together 12.5 team blocks as Torrie Flynn topped the Stars with eight blocks. Benbrook added six blocks, while Irwin contributed five blocks.
30-Dig Club
Oklahoma City University
34—Meghann Turner at Lubbock Christian, Sept. 23, 2006; Shelbey Veselka at Wayland Baptist, Sept. 22, 2007; Shelbey Veselka at Southern Nazarene, Oct. 14, 2008
33—Nicole Gruenbacher at Southern Nazarene, Oct. 25, 2007; Shelbey Veselka vs. Evangel, Sept. 26, 2008
30—Victoria Cross vs. Sterling, Sept. 10, 2011; Nicole Gruenbacher vs. Texas-Brownsville, Nov. 17, 2006 in NAIA Region VI Tournament at Houston; Maryna Verbovetska vs. John Brown, Oct. 4, 2007; Maryna Verbovetska vs. Lubbock Christian, Nov. 10, 2007 in Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament at Plainview, Texas