SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Oregon Tech (24-7) nearly shook the NAIA volleyball scene but came up just short in a heart-breaking five-set loss to No.2 Viterbo University (39-1). However, the loss for Tech comes in pool play, so they are not eliminated from the tournament.
 
"I am extremely proud of how the team played and executed the scout," said head coach Ken Murczek. "We gave ourselves a lot of chances this morning, especially in the 2nd and 3rd set. I knew it would be a battle, but it's time to reset to compete against another nationally ranked opponent."
 
The Lady Owls will face off against No.19 Concordia of Nebraska (17-11) at 1:00 p.m. in what will be a win-or-go-home match. 
A watch party will be set up in the CU Mt. Mazama room to watch and root on the team! 
 
Set 1 -- Oregon Tech 25 Viterbo University 22                    
 
Set 2 -- Viterbo University 32 Oregon Tech 30
 
Set 3 -- Viterbo University 26 Oregon Tech 24
 
Set 4 -- Oregon Tech 25 Viterbo University 22
 
Set 5 -- Viterbo University 15 Oregon Tech 13
 
Making their first ever appearance in the NAIA National Tournament, The Lady Owls came out on fire, grabbing set one 25-22.
 
In the first set, Tech never trailed and it was their defense that allowed them to make a run a fend the V-Hawks off.
 
In the second set, Tech once again would storm out in front, grabbing a 20-14 lead. However, the talented Lady V-Hawks went on a 9-0 run that killed a lot of Tech's momentum.
OIT would battle back and force it into extra points, but unfortunately, service errors plagued their chance at grabbing a 2-0 lead.
 
Tech would drop the third set before battling back in the fourth to force an all-important and deciding 5th set.
 
In the 5th set it was Viterbo who got out in front and never trailed, as they were able to fend off a Lady Owls' side who refused to give up.
 
Although Tech suffered defeat, there are many positives to take away from what was a great  battle against the 2nd-ranked team in the country. On the stat sheet, some statistical categories that OIT outperformed or did as well as the Lady V-Hawks in were:
 
Aces: 7 to 3
Digs: 98 to 90
Attacking Pct.: .168 to .168
Errors: 32 to 32
 
The Lady Owls were led in kills by Nicole Reyes (20), Kaylin Talonen (18), and Faith Houck-Wylie (13).
 
Courtney Isom also had a good game racking up 40 assists, and Aubrey Kievit defended well totaling 22 digs.
 
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