SIOUX CITY, Iowa – It is never easy to accept defeat, but reaching the National Tournament Semifinals is nothing to hang ones head about. The Viterbo University volleyball team had the deepest tournament run in school history come to an end on Saturday morning, falling to last year's champion University of Texas at Brownsville 3-0.
The V-Hawks used so much momentum and heart in the final set of last night's quarterfinal victory, but the Ocelots came out strong without allowing Viterbo to keep it rolling. The two teams matched with 14 kills in the opening frame, but eight errors by the V-Hawks compared to just three by Texas Brownsville was a difference maker and the Ocelots pulled ahead 21-17. Alicia Olson pounded consecutive kills and a UTB attack error made it 21-20, but four straight points all but sealed the first and Texas Brownsville won 25-21.
After hanging with the Ocelots in the first frame, the V-Hawks could not seem to get anything clicking in the second set as Texas Brownsville ran out to a 10-2 advantage. The reliance of the Viterbo showed again, however, as they rattled off a 9-0 run to take a one-point lead which put the Ocelots on their heels. From there, Texas Brownsville answered every V-Hawk kill with two of their own as they opened up a late four-point advantage. Olson added a kill for point number 18, but a Viterbo service ace put the V-Hawks in a 2-0 hole.
Down a pair of games in the match, it was hard to build any momentum and it showed, as the Ocelots opened the third 7-3 behind kills from four different players. Viterbo again fought back to tie it at 11-11 after a pair of Natalie Geidel kills but a Texas Brownsville response had them up one. Amelia Grahn then set up Emilee Wiersma and Danielle Green for back-to-back kills and the lead shifted back in favor of Viterbo. Then tied 19-19, two errors allowed Texas Brownsville to pull ahead and two kills from Anna Siruckova had the Ocelots facing a match point. The V-Hawks went to their big gun in Olson for two kills, but it was too late as Siruckova added the final dagger for the sweep.
Olson finished with 18 kills and over 100 for the tournament while Geidel added 10. With her strong play in the National Tournament, Olson earned a spot on the All-Tournament team. Grahn dished out 28 assists and 17 of the V-Hawks 52 digs came from Jennifer Krentz.
Head coach Ryan DeLong commented, "The sting of the loss is still there and it's hard to look back and appreciate the run we've had at this point but we've have an incredible season. The difficult schedule, the grind, and to finish here in the final four – you can't ask for anymore."
The V-Hawks finished the 2014 season with an overall record of 39-9 and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament Final Four for the first time in school history. The 39 wins are the most under DeLong in his 10 years. Viterbo graduates three seniors in Olson, Brianna Brinkman, and Julie Stekel. "This is a special group of seniors. They've led both on and off the floor. Had arguably one of the most successful four year careers of any V-Hawks. To make it to one national tournament is special but two is a testament of what they brought to our program," said DeLong.
Senior and Viterbo's all-time career kills lead Olson said, "It has meant a lot to have second family like them [the team]. I came in on day one scared but felt at home in the first couple weeks. The main thing was knowing that I had 16 sisters beside me was incredible."