Box Score

TULSA, Okla. - Moriah Fair posted the second 20-kill, 20-dig performance of her career and Shari Bernhardt eclipsed 30 digs for the third time this year but it wasn’t enough as Oral Roberts eked out a 3-1 (25-20, 25-27, 25-27, 24-26) win Saturday evening in Summit League action.

With the loss, IUPUI fell to 11-13 overall and 6-7 in league play, while Oral Roberts improved to 19-4 overall and 12-1 in conference action.

Early in the match the Jags took advantage of some Golden Eagles errors while picking up kills from four different players en route to leading 10-6. ORU closed within two late in the set, 20-18, but a service error and a kill by Fair quickly escalated the Jags lead back to four points, 22-18, forcing a Golden Eagles timeout. Down the stretch, IUPUI was able to close out Oral Roberts thanks in part to a pair of blocks from Bethany Fogler and Fair as it won the opening set, 25-20.

The strong play continued at the beginning of set two as three kills by Kelsey Hoefer helped the Jags jump on top, 7-3. Following a four-point rally from ORU that evened the score at seven, neither team could grasp a lead of more than two points resulting in 15 ensuing ties. The last tie occurred at 25 on the heels of a Fair kill, but an ORU kill followed by a block closed out a 27-25 win for the Golden Eagles evening the match at one set apiece.

A sluggish start out of the 10-minute intermission resulted in the Jags finding themselves in a 6-1 hole. However, despite the deficit IUPUI remained poised and ultimately rallied to take a three-point lead, 16-13. Another block by Fair and Fogler and a kill from Fogler gave the Jaguars their biggest cushion of the set, 19-14, but a furious surge from the Golden Eagles tied things up at 21. The next two points went IUPUI’s way, but it was unable to give itself an opportunity for set point. Unfortunately, an ORU kill followed by another block sealed the 27-25 Golden Eagles win in set three, placing them in front two sets to one.

Two close losses in sets two and three didn’t hinder IUPUI from putting the pressure on Oral Roberts in set four. The Jags held the lead for most of the set, but midway through the set it became a see-saw affair with both teams jockeying for the lead. The set was tied as late as 24-24, but a pair of IUPUI attack errors handed Oral Roberts the 26-24 victory.

Fogler proved to be IUPUI’s most efficient hitter posting nine kills against one error in 16 attempts for a .500 hitting percentage. The Fort Wayne, Ind.-native also led the team in blocks with six block assists.

The Jags have a quick turnaround before hosting Valparaiso on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at The Jungle. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m.