Oakville Volleyball Loses Tight Match to Kirkwood

The Tigers were out for blood. last Saturday in their worst match of the year. On Tuesday, the Tigers had a chance for revenge as they traveled to Kirkwood.

But revenge was not sweet as Oakville fell in three close games, 17-25, 25-20 and 25-27.

“We can’t finish,” was all Oakville coach Morgan Lucas could say after the game. “We had the opportunity to swing and put the ball away and we just can’t finish.”

The Tigers had a slow start in the first game, falling behind by 10 points at one time to a stellar Kirkwood defense.

That same defense was all but absent in the second game as Kirkwood let several balls hit the floor. The Pioneers also suffered from missed serves, tallying seven for the night.

Oakville won the second game, 25-20, after big kills from Abby Pourcillie and Katie Krajczar.

“In the second game, we lost communication and our game plan,” said Kirkwood coach Julie Goodman. “We knew as soon as Saturday’s game was over, they were going to be ready for us. We came out with a different game plan, something new.”

Middle hitter Sarah Makowski drilled the ball to the floor to open the third game for Oakville. The senior ended the match with nine kills.

In the third game, the two teams battled point-for-point, with neither team having more than a four-point lead.

Jordan Berry led the Kirkwood offense with 16 kills for the game.

Oakville’s defense was scrappy in the last few points and another Pourcillie kill gave the Tigers a 25-24 lead.

But two unforced errors would be the downfall of the Tigers as they fell 27-25.

“I’m done with the lack of effort and intensity,” Lucas said. “I wasn’t unhappy with the way we played, Oakville just does not know how to finish. We did it , we didn't tonight.”

Oakville hopes to regroup before playing at cross-town rival Mehlville Thursday at 5 p.m. for the annual breast cancer awareness match.