By TIM RATH

Sports Editor

The Oakland University women’s volleyball team worked all week to achieve a supreme level of mental toughness.

The Golden Grizzlies found that they had it when they needed it most, coming back from a third-game deficit of 19-22 to win Friday against Centenary, 3-0.

“We’ve worked a lot on that, playing in the short run. Emily Hoffiz has been clutch for us, always going in at the end of the set when the pressure’s on,” head coach Rob Beam said. “She served balls, dug balls, made great effort plays and her energy really changed the course of the third set.”

OU picked up a 25-20 win in the first set before dominating in a 25-8 second set victory, behind a .611 team hitting percentage. The Grizzlies then rallied from a 22-19 deficit to take a 25-19 victory in the third set.

The sophomore outside hitter Hoffiz tallied one dig in two sets of work, while senior libero Lauren Duquette led the team with 14 digs. Senior Amy Golem and junior Adrienne Leone led the team with 10 and nine kills, respectively.

“In the first game, we were point-for-point, back and forth and we just pushed through, sometimes we don’t do that,” Leone said. “In the last game, we were down, came back and won it … that’s just, mentally being focused and pushing through.”

Sophomore setter Brittany Dunn set a Summit League record for consecutive points, serving for 17 consecutive points over the second and third sets. The total ranks as a tie for third place in NCAA women’s volleyball history.

“It’s all about momentum,” said Beam. “We played very well offensively, blocked well and dug well. We had some good serving performances and I just want to see that continue to build all the way through to the end of the year.”

OU will hit the court again Saturday, hosting Oral Roberts at the O’Rena. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start.