CORVALLIS, Ore. – For consecutive matches, Oregon State made quick work of their opposition, defeating Oklahoma in a sweep with a 25-19, 25-22, 25-16 scoreline to open the Asics Invitational.
Mychael Vernon’s 15 kills, Amanda Burns’ 19 assists and Ryan White’s eight digs led to snapping the Sooners’ three-match winning streak.
The Beavers (2-2) got out to a strong start in the first set, racing to a 6-1 lead before the Sooners (3-1) called after attack errors and key blocks from Lauren Rumel and Vernon. Oregon State built their lead to nine at 12-3 before Oklahoma shrunk it to three until another Vernon kill stopped the Sooners’ momentum. Vernon paced the Beavers with eight kills in the first set, including one that sealed the opening momentum.
Keeping the pressure on from the first, the Beavers jumped to a lead and never trailed in the second set. Kills from Suess, Rumel, Sheridan and Vernon with a Rumel ace helped the Beavs to an early advantage at 7-2. Tied from 10-10 all the way to 19-19, kills from Aliyah McDonald and Burns helped get separation for the momentum to put the Sooners on the brink when Rumel sealed it with another kill.
Closely contested in the early stages on the first, three Beaver kills and an Ava Pitchford service ace made it 8-4 in favor of the Beavs and forced the Sooners to burn their first timeout.
A 7-0 run for the Beavers flipped a 4-3 deficit to a 10-4 lead opened the action in the third and final set. Oregon State held double-digit leads before closing it out with their nine-point win to clinch the Friday win. With their backs against the wall, OU tried for a run in the end but fell short with a service error to end things a 25-16 line.
Oregon State will continue the Asics Invitational against Boise State on Sunday, September 3rd. First set against the Broncos is set for 11 a.m.
