MARIETTA, Ohio — It was definitely not the start seventh-ranked Wisconsin-Oshkosh was expecting in the second round of the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Tournament on Friday afternoon.
The top-seeded Titans (28-5) struggled against the University of Chicago and dropped the first set 25-18 at Marietta College's Ban Johnson Arena. However, Oshkosh found its rhythm and rolled in the next three sets — 25-20, 25-16, 25-16 — for the win and to advance to the title game on Saturday.
"What a match," said Oshkosh coach Jon Ellman. "Chicago is a familiar midwestern team that we've seen earlier this year. Credit to Chicago for how offensive they can be. … It would have been easy to get shook there after that first set. The response we had in sets 2, 3 and 4 was special."
The Titans won the November 2 match 3-0, so dropping the first set could have rattled the veteran squad. Instead, Oshkosh just got better.
"After the first set they went to another level and we had a hard time matching that," said Chicago coach Mitchell McPartland. "Their attackers were hitting balls that were landing a foot in front of the line or on the line. So, a lot of credit to them for executing."
Leading the charge was senior Robyn Kirsch and sophomore Sami Perlberg.
"We talk about what we need to improve on after each set, even before Jon comes in and they are normally the same things," Kirsch said. "Focusing on our response to the next set."
Kirsch had 12 kills and an impressive .423 attack percentage. She also had five blocks. Perlberg also had 12 kills and three blocks. Fifth-year senior Riley Kindt was also outstanding for the Titans with 11 kills and four blocks.
Fifth-year Kalli Mau added 23 assists, while junior Izzy Coon added 17 assists.
"We're very proud that we're advancing," Ellman said. "You can get amped up in this tournament, but if you can keep your mind right and trust whatever you have left in the tank is enough the outcome will be as good as it can be.
Chicago's Diya Mishra showed off her power with 13 kills, while Amelia Gibbs and Maggie McInerney each had eight kills in the loss.
"Ending on a loss always hurts but we just talked about how proud we are of the season," McPartland said. "But you want to end your season here in the NCAA Tournament."
