Toledo, Ohio – In its lone exhibition match of the season, Toledo split a pair of sets with Oakland University (25-22, 20-25, 25-17, 20-25) in volleyball action on Friday night at Savage Arena.

Leading the way for UT was senior Saige Thomas (Corpus Christi, Texas), who earned a double-double with 18 kills and 11 digs along with a solid.436 hitting percentage. Junior setter Carly Townsend (Germantown, Wis.) registered a team-high 29 assists while fellow junior Maurissa Leonard (Oregon, Ohio) captured 15 digs.

The Rockets recorded a .224 hitting percentage compared to the Golden Grizzlies' .175. At the net, UT dominated with nine blocks compared to Oakland's five.

UT took the first set 25-22 after holding the Golden Grizzlies to a .062 hitting percentage and forcing 11 errors. The senior duo of Rachel Vidourek (Oxford, Ohio) and Thomas combined for seven of the team's 11 kills in the opening set.

After Oakland captured the second set, Toledo ran away with the third set victory after registering a .394 hitting percentage and 15 kills. In the third set alone, Thomas earned nine of her team-high 18 kills.

In the fourth and final set, Oakland rallied behind three players earning at least three kills to win the set 25-20 and split the exhibition contest.  

UT begins the 2017 season on Friday, Aug.25 at the Fort Wayne Invitational, squaring off with SIU Edwardsville at 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Rockets will take on Quinnipiac at 10:00 a.m. followed by a battle with host school Fort Wayne at 7:00 p.m.