Score: Kennesaw State 0, Oregon 3 (26-28, 19-25, 18-25)
Records: Kennesaw State (21-5), Oregon (18-11)
Key Players: Sydni Shelton (10 kills hitting .292), Anaiah Boyer (8 kills and 8 digs), Lauren Chastang (9 kills), Kristi Piedimonte (39 assists and 8 digs), Katarina Morton (15 digs)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML) | Highlights
 
THE STORYLINE: 
· Kennesaw State volleyball saw its historical season come to an end in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Oregon in Provo, Utah on Friday, December 1.
 
Like the Owls always do, they left everything they had on the court and made Oregon earn the win.
 
Kennesaw State finishes their season a remarkable 21-5.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Kennesaw State could not have scripted a better start in their first NCAA Tournament winning the first four points of the match and jumping out to an 11-4 lead in the first set. Oregon used both of their timeouts to try and slow the Owls down.
 
The Ducks weathered the early storm and came back to tie the score at 14. From there, neither team gave an inch trading points back and forth.
 
Oregon led 23-21 and an error on the Ducks and service ace from Maddie Jones tied the score up at 23. The Ducks had two set points that the Owls spoiled before they finally took the opening set. Kennesaw State had a set point of its own, but the Ducks got the side out to run off three straight and go up 1-0 in the match.
 
Oregon took control of the second set by winning eight of nine points early to go up 15-6. The Owls got the deficit down to five, but couldn't get any closer than that.
 
In the third set, Kennesaw State found itself in early hole once again. The Owls got the score back to 11-9, but the Ducks responded with a 3-0 run forcing KSU to use a timeout trailing by five again.
 
Once having a comfortable lead in the third, the Ducks closed out the final set 25-18.
 
SCHUNZEL QUOTE:
"It's such a wide range of emotions right now. We're mad because we had some swings to go up 1 set to 0 in the match, but couldn't come up with the play we needed. We're also disappointed because we came into this match prepared, confident and intent on beating Oregon. It's sad because this amazing run and incredible group of people just played their last game together, wearing a jersey that they have represented so well and loved wearing. 

But at the end of the day, we're all so incredibly proud because of the record breaking season we've had and proud because we left it all on the court, like this team has done all year like the players in this program only know how to do. 

I love my team so much and am so proud of all 16 players who have given their heart and soul into this program and their teammates. "

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
· The Owls finish their 2017 season 21-5 marking it the best season in program history. The 21 wins is the most in program history.
· Tonight marks the end of an incredible career for seven seniors that started their time with the Owls by missing the ASUN Tournament their freshmen season to winning it in their final season. Over the past three seasons, the team is 58-25.
· Kristi Piedimonte finished the night with 39 assists. She had 17 of those in the first set.
· Katarina Morton led the team with 15 digs in her final match as libero. The four-year starter will leave Kennesaw State as the all-time digs leader in school history along with several other records.
· Overall, the Owls spread the offense around like they have all season as five players had at least five kills. Junior Sydni Shelton led the team with 10 kills on the night hitting .292.
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State volleyball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsVB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.