CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Mount St. Joseph University women's volleyball team played host this weekend to a field full outstanding programs from here in the midwest for the MSJ Invitational. Those teams included Otterbein who came into the weekend ranked #11 nationally, also coming to the Harrington Center was Transylvania, Ohio Northern, and Christopher Newport. Over the two day event the Lions would square off with everyone in the field, save HCAC rival Transylvania. Despite the high-level of competition the Lions equated themselves well, going 2-1 including a straight set win over Otterbein.
MATCH ONE - MSJ 3 -CNU 0
The Lions first match of the weekend saw them square off with the Captains of Christopher Newport in the first ever matchup between the two programs. Prior to getting the match underway
Brooke Aselage was recognized on the court after registering her 1,000th career dig just a couple of weekends ago. Once the match go underway the Lions were absouletely dominant. The Lions surrendered the first point of the first set, but after quickly winning the next two the did not trail again in the set. As a team they hit .250 in the first set, registering 14 kills to just 6 for CNU.
Set one was an example of how the rest of the match would go, the Lions took set one 25-18, set two 25-20 and set three 25-18 to secure the win. Offensively they were led in the match by
Emily Abshire who had a match-high 10 kills and a .474 hitting percentage.
Morgan Whitaker and Aselage each delivered 9 kills to finish just behind Abshire,
Erin Androne led the way defensively with 14 digs, but just behind her was
Carly Caldwell with 10.
Sam Buschur and
Chloe Burton combined to dish out 27 assists, with only a single error between them.
MATCH TWO - MSJ 3 - #11 Otterbein 0
In match two Friday night the Lions squared off with the #11 team in the nation the Cardinals of Otterbein. The Lions continued their fantastic play on the evening, dominating the first set of the match. As a team they hit .412 in the first set, registering 17 kills against only 3 errors, taking set one 25-16. The second set was much more competitive but the Lions put together a late run to take the set 25-22 before finishing the sweep with a 25-19 win in set three. The biggest disparity in the match came at the service line, where the Lions got a staggering 12 aces in the match, including a match-high 5 from Androne.
Offensively the Lions were led by Whitaker who had 12 kills while hitting .320, Abshire and Aselage each had 10 kills a peice. Defensively it was
Grace Wilking leading the team with 12 digs, Androne added 11, while Aselage and Caldwell each had 8. Burton and Buscher again handled the setting duties very well splitting 34 assists.
MATCH THREE - ONU 3 - MSJ 1
In the final match of the weekend the Lions would fall to the Polar Bears of Ohio Northern in four sets. The first set was tightly contested until a late run by ONU pushed them ahead of the Mount. The Lions would fight back to take set two 25-18, but ONU answered taking sets three and four to win the match.
Offensively it was Aselage leading the way in this one with 13 kills.. Abshire added 10 and
Grace Young added 9 on only 17 attempts hitting .353. in the match. Defensively Androne was absolutely masterful with 24 digs, doubling up the next closest Lion which was Wilking.
UP NEXT:
The Lions have one remaining match before opening HCAC play next weekend, they head to Thomas More on Tuesday night before welcoming Earlham to the Harrington Center next Saturday to start their HCAC season.
