Kansas City Volleyball Falls to St. Thomas in Three Sets
Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City Roos suffered a three-set loss to the St. Thomas Tommies in a competitive volleyball match held at the Swinney Center on November 9, 2024. The final set scores were 18-25, 17-25, and 21-25. Despite the defeat, the Roos showcased notable offensive improvement, particularly in the third set, where they achieved a match-high hitting percentage of 0.310.
Match Highlights
Key player Kailee Deffebaugh stepped up significantly for Kansas City, recording a season-high of 10 kills during the match. Defensively, Leah Green led the way with an impressive 21 digs, while Sydney Henry contributed with 32 assists and 9 digs, helping to facilitate the team’s offense. However, Kansas City struggled to adapt to the consistent pressure applied by St. Thomas throughout the match.
Set-by-Set Breakdown
First Set – 18-25
In the opening set, Kansas City started competitively, with players Sila Ozyurek and Ledisi Kpea combining for five kills. However, early errors from the Roos hindered their momentum, allowing St. Thomas to pull ahead and gain control. A late six-point run by the Tommies ultimately sealed the first set for them at 25-18.
Second Set – 17-25
The Roos faced increased challenges in the second set as Kaia Dunford and Kpea contributed a total of eight kills. Despite their efforts, St. Thomas capitalized on Kansas City’s mistakes and shone with their serving skills, which included several aces. The Tommies extended their lead to 23-15 late in the set before finishing it off at 25-17.
Third Set – 21-25
In the most competitive frame of the match, Kansas City fought hard, with both teams exchanging points almost evenly. The Roos tied the set at 19-19, displaying their fighting spirit through strong performances from Dunford and Ozyurek. However, St. Thomas pulled away late in the set, using a pair of service aces and effective attacks to secure the win at 25-21.
Next Steps for Kansas City
Following this match, Kansas City Volleyball is set to hit the road for their final away games of the season. They will face North Dakota on November 14 at 7 PM, followed by a game against North Dakota State on November 16, also at 7 PM. The Roos will look to improve upon their performance and capitalize on the offensive spark shown in the match against St. Thomas as they enter the final stretch of the season.
Conclusion
While the loss to St. Thomas marks a setback for Kansas City, the team demonstrated commendable resilience and potential for future matches. The players’ ability to deliver a strong hitting percentage and impressive individual performances may serve as a foundation for improvement as they approach their upcoming games.
