Next Match:
at Central Michigan
9/2/2026 | 6 PM ET
Sep. 02 (Wed) / 6 PM ET
at Central Michigan
TOLEDO, Ohio — The Oakland Golden Grizzlies Volleyball team (1-2, 0-0 HL) fell to Bradley (2-1, 0-0 MVC) and Toledo (3-0, 0-0 MAC) in a Saturday doubleheader to wrap up the Rocket Invitational in Savage Arena. OU dropped a closely contested five-set match (21-25, 16-25, 26-24, 25-17, 12-15) to Bradley, despite a strong effort in the fourth set, where Oakland came out and posted a .316 attack percentage. The Black and Gold fell to Toledo in straight sets (18-25, 23-25, 14-25) for the nightcap, recording 30 kills and three aces in the contest.
MATCH ONE: Bradley 3, Oakland 2
Outside hitter Molly Reck led the offensive efforts with a double-double that included 12 kills and 13 digs. Outside hitter Liv Hosford recorded a team-high 21 kills, hitting at a .327 clip, and added 10 digs in just her second collegiate match of her career. Setter Delaney Stern facilitated the attack with 32 assists and collected 13 digs as middle blocker Grace Cooney was strong at the net, tallying five total blocks and adding six kills.
The first set began with a competitive exchange, as Oakland quickly responded to the Braves’ initial point with a service error by the visitors, leveling the score at 1-1. Oakland maintained pace through key plays, including a kill by middle blocker Ellen Zapp, assisted by Stern, narrowing the Braves’ lead to 4-2. Despite the Golden Grizzlies’ efforts, the Braves extended their lead with a series of successful attacks, including a run that pushed the score to 19-12. Oakland countered with a four-point streak featuring crucial kills by Liv Hosford and a service ace, reducing the deficit to 19-17. Oakland continued to challenge the Braves’ momentum with contributions from Zapp and Hosford, but the visiting team secured the set with a final block.
The second frame opened with a strong start for Oakland, as Hosford and Cooney delivered early kills, contributing to an initial 3-1 lead. Despite this, the Braves quickly responded with a series of points, including a service ace and multiple kills, allowing them to take control and extend the lead. Oakland’s efforts to regain momentum were highlighted by plays in the front line with multiple kills from Cooney and Hosford, but were too late before Bradley took over with a final of 25-16.
Oakland began the third game with a strong offensive surge, capitalizing on a series of errors by the Braves. Outside hitter Olivia Rust initiated the scoring with a kill assisted by libero Kalli Cook, and Oakland quickly extended its lead to a 5-0 run, taking advantage of attack errors and contributions from the pin hitters in Hosford and Reck. Despite a brief response from the visitors, Oakland maintained its momentum, holding a 10-7 advantage. As the set progressed, Oakland continued to exploit errors from the Braves with points by Zapp and Cooney, extending their lead to 15-11. The Braves attempted a comeback, narrowing the gap by just two points, but Oakland’s consistent play kept the home team ahead. In a tense conclusion, the Braves managed to tie the score at 23-23, but Oakland responded decisively. Molly Reck’s kill, followed by two service aces from Ellen Zapp, secured a 26-24 victory for Oakland in the third set. The home team closed the set with a crucial service run from Zapp that sealed their advantage.
The Golden Grizzlies capitalized on a mid-set surge to shift momentum in the fourth set against the Braves. After trailing early, Oakland responded with critical kills on the ends from Hosford and Reck, narrowing the gap and keeping the scores close. A pivotal run, fueled by blocks from Cooney and opposite hitter Ella Schomer, propelled Oakland into a lead they would not relinquish. Oakland’s offense maintained pressure as the Braves struggled with errors. The Golden Grizzlies pushed to a fifth set as the frame concluded a 25-17 victory, as a pair of Braves attacking errors cost them the game.
Oakland began the fifth set with a slight disadvantage, falling behind early as the Braves’ Furlong contributed key points. On the left side, Hosford responded with a crucial kill, keeping the home team competitive. However, the visitors managed to build a 4-1 lead. Zapp and Hosford worked effectively to reduce the deficit, but the Braves maintained control through consistent scoring from Dale and Drapp. Oakland rallied with back-to-back kills by Hosford, narrowing the gap to 13-12. However, the Braves capitalized on an Oakland attack error to secure the final two points, closing the deciding set at 15-12 and securing the match victory.
MATCH TWO: Toledo 3, Oakland 0
Reck led the Black and Gold with 10 kills on 30 attempts, as Stern distributed the ball effectively, recording 16 assists and adding an ace. In the middle, Zapp added to the team’s defensive efforts with a solo block and secured four points overall.
Oakland started the first set with a strong offensive push, gaining an early 3-0 lead with contributions from Cooney and Rust. Toledo responded with a series of points to shift the momentum, taking a 6-3 advantage, aided by multiple errors from Oakland and effective plays from their front line. The Black and Gold narrowed the gap to 12-10 following a service ace from Stern and a block in the middle by Zapp. However, the Rockets extended their lead once more with consistent scoring, including kills from Catalano and Siefke, closing in on the set win. Despite a late push by OU with Reck and Hosford contributing kills, Toledo maintained its lead and closed the set 25-18, taking the first set.
The Golden Grizzlies initiated the second set with momentum, as Hosford delivered a decisive kill with an assist from Stern to put them on the board. Oakland’s offense maintained pressure through kills from Reck and Hosford, keeping the score tight with the Rockets. Midway through the set, Reck continued to be a key piece, contributing multiple kills to sustain Oakland’s scoring pace. Despite efforts, Toledo managed to level the score several times, culminating in a narrow lead. Oakland fought back from a 21-18 deficit, as opposite hitter Maddie Jipping and setter Morgin Parsley added crucial points to close the gap to 24-23. However, the home team ultimately secured the set with a final point, just at a two-point margin.
In the closing frame, Oakland initiated play with a kill by Frias, setting an early lead. Toledo equalized on a service error, but Oakland quickly regained momentum with a kill from Zapp in the middle, pushing the score to 4-1. However, the Rockets responded with a series of points, including a service ace, overtaking the lead at 5-4. OU attempted to close the gap with kills from Hosford and outside hitter Ella Martin, narrowing Toledo’s lead to just two points. Despite these efforts, Toledo maintained its advantage, benefiting from attacking errors and a series of kills. As the set progressed, Toledo extended its lead further, capitalizing on Oakland’s errors and closing the set on a service ace, resulting in a 25-14 final score.
The Golden Grizzlies will head back to Michigan to face off against Central Michigan in a midweek match-up on Wednesday, Sept. 2. First serve is slated for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
How to Follow Oakland Volleyball: For complete information on Oakland Volleyball, follow the team on X at @OaklandWVB and head coach Krista Rice at @KKg1007. The team is also on Instagram.