NORMAN – Oklahoma volleyball swept the season opener with a 3-0 win over Gonzaga, 25-18, 25-19, 25-19, on Friday in front of a passionate crowd at McCasland Field House.
"First match of the year there's always those anxious butterflies just to get the season going," head coach Lindsey Gray-Walton said. "You always want to play clean and what that means for us is a clean serve game, clean pass game and an ability to have a balance in attack. We were able to do that tonight and those have been major points of emphasis for us since January."
The Sooners are undefeated against the Bulldogs, leading the overall series, 2-0.
Graduate student and veteran Savannah Davison led the Sooners with 16 kills, while hitting .419 in the match and adding seven digs. Davison had a fast start and finish in the match, recording 6 kills each in the first and third sets, and a hitting percentage of .556 and .545, respectively.
"I mean, everyone's excited," Davison said. "The first point, the first game and I think we just made a statement tonight."
Sophomore Megan Wilson was sensational with 14 kills and a .312 hitting percentage. In her first match as a Sooner, graduate transfer Adria Oliver led the match defensively with four blocks and added nine kills on 15 total attacks. Oliver came out of the gates and finished strong with two blocks each in the first and third sets.
Sophomore Callie Kemohah added 16 digs, six assists and one service ace. The Libero started off strong with eight digs in the first set.
Alexis Shelton, playing in her first match as a Sooner, finished with six kills and two digs. Morgan Perkins and Chloe Kaminski also made their Sooner debuts.
"Like I said, they were nervous and I'm sure like you could see it if you pay attention," Davison noted. "Once they got their feet under them and knew what to do … they did excellent. I think Alexis did great and Chloe, I trust her with everything behind the net."
OU took the first set after the teams went back-and-forth for the opening points. The Sooners jumped to a 12-9 lead and never looked back, to take the opening set, 25-18. Davison had six kills on nine total attacks as well as two digs in the first set. Wilson and Oliver added four kills apiece, while Oliver .800 in her first set as a Sooner.
The Sooners were battle-tested, tying the Bulldogs five times during the second set. OU went on a five-point run to conclude the second set, 25-19. Shelton had a big impact to close the second set with back-to-back kills.
OU was off and running in the third and final set, leading Gonzaga the entire time. Davison put the match away with four kills, including the final point of the match to secure the sweep.
"This team likes each other and when you like each other, you play hard for each other," Gray-Walton noted. Good things can happen even when you're tested, and you have moments that have adversity. So, I think what you saw was a team that was willing to respond when they got pushed."
The Sooners are back in action against Big Ten foe Iowa at 5 p.m. Saturday inside McCasland Field House.
"I mean, this environment was amazing, and we just need to keep continuing to build on this, not only on people in the building, but the education of the viewer and the lovers of volleyball all together," Gray-Walton said. "So please come back. Bring your friend. Can't wait to see what happens tomorrow night."
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