Head volleyball coach Geno Frugoli had a weekend of firsts. The first year Kangaroo leader won his first game, lost his first game and coached his first tournament as a Division I head coach.
The Roos finished 1-3 in tourney action at the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn/T.J. Sales Invitational in Springfield, Mo., during the two day round robin. UMKC lost its opening match on Friday at the hands of Missouri State University, 20-30, 24-30 and 29-31, then turned around and handed their coach his first Division I victory over Delaware State, 30-25, 30-26, 28-30, 25-30 and 15-8.
Saturday the Roos fell short of the mark twice more, losing to the University of Tulsa, 27-30, 24-30 and 29-31, then to Sacramento State University in the final match of their tournament, 14-30, 29-31 and 21-30.
UMKC sophomore outside hitter Jamie Hagerman scored 11 kills with a pair of digs and sophomore setter Caitlin Koenig recorded 31 assists, three kills and five digs of her own in the Kangaroos first game of the season. However, the effort would not be enough as Missouri State, led by senior setter Katelyn Panzau and her nine kills, 37 assists, and 9 digs paced the Bears to victory.
Koenig was the main attraction in a winning game two against Delaware State. The senior setter recorded a triple double including 10 kills, 40 assists and another 10 assists for the Kangaroos. Sophomore middle hitter Kelly Gettinger was nearly as impressive with nine kills, four assists and a team high 23 digs in the match.
Saturday morning, the Roos ran into the Golden Hurricanes of Tulsa and freshman outside hitter Nicole Boyle, who netted eight kills and 12 digs along with a stellar effort from senior setter Julia Silva with seven kills, 27 assists and 11 digs.
UMKC was paced by yet another strong effort from Gettinger, who added 10 kills and 9 assists and a strong 24 dig effort from junior libero Mandy Tipton. Though all three games were tightly played, the final tally showed only a 3-0 defeat for the Roos.
In the final game of the weekend, the UMKC women hit what seemed to be an angry nest of Sacramento State Hornets, losing two of three games in the match by wide margins.
Creating the greatest buzz for the Hornets was senior outside hitter Brittany Ferguson, who recorded 17 kills and eight digs in the contest. Another senior outside hitter, Missie Stidham, recorded 11 kills and 10 digs to add to Sacramento's stellar effort.
UMKC once again received strong efforts from Gettinger, who recorded seven more kills and 11 digs, and Koenig with her seven kills, 28 assists and three digs. Senior middle hitter Sarah Johnson's 11 kill effort in the match was noteworthy as well.
The Kangaroo women next travel to Des Moines, Iowa, Aug. 28 to face off against Drake University.
dstroud@unews.com
