CINCINNATI, Ohio - This past weekend your Mount St. Joseph University women's volleyball squad kicked off their 2022 season by hosting the Charlie Wrublewski Invitational. The Invitational saw the Lions square of against Wittenberg, Ohio Wesleyan, Illinois Wesleyan and Wilmington. The Lions got off to a slow start dropping their first match versus Wittenberg on Friday but quickly got back on track defeating Ohio Wesleyan in 4 sets to complete the first night of matches. On Day 2 of the Invitational the Lions would get the action started by taking on Illinois Wesleyan. The Lions held on to win in dramatic fashion taking down the Titans in 5 sets. Following the win the Lions concluded the Invitational by quickly taking care of business Wilmington defeating the Quakers in straight sets.
GAME ONE: MSJ - 0 WITTENBERG - 3
The Lions faced off against the Tigers of Wittenberg to begin their 2022 season. The Tigers got ahead early in the match and never looked back. After dropping the first two sets the Lions were searching for a spark. Both squads when back in forth during the 3rd set but the Tigers edged out the Lions 27-25 to take the match in straight sets. Both
Brooke Aselage and
Emily Abshire led the way offensively for the Lions each finishing with 9 kills.
GAME TWO: MSJ - 3 OHIO WESLEYAN - 1
In the Lions second match of the night they would face off against the Battling Bishops of Ohio Wesleyan. The Lions finally got on the board needing 27 points in the first set to put away the Battling Bishops. The Lions would then drop the 2nd set again in extra points. In the third set The Mount would find their footing. The Lions jumped out to an early 9-3 lead in the third set and never looked back. The Lions would secure the 3-1 victory after a dominant 4th set which saw the Lions dominate the point of attack. The Lions finished with 3 players with double digit kills including
Emily Abshire (14),
Brooke Aselage (10) and
Grace Young (10).
GAME THREE: MSJ - 3 ILLINOIS WESLEYAN - 2
The Lions took on Illinois Wesleyan to kick off Day 2 of the Charlie Wrublewski Invitational. The Mount wasted no time in the first two sets completely taking over the match from the start. The Lions got hot early taking a 16-6 lead in the first set before
Grace Young would give the Lions the lead with a punishing kill. In set 2 the Lions picked up right where they left off. They began set 2 by quickly getting out to a 9-3 lead. The Titans would answer but it was a little too late as
Carly Caldwell finished the set with a pair of service aces to give the Lions a commanding 2-0 lead.
But, the Titans came thundering back. Illinois Wesleyan finally found their chemistry in the 3rd set. The Titans controlled the 3rd set and escaped with a set victory to stay alive in the match. In the 4th set Illinois Wesleyan continued to build momentum. The Lions controlled the 4th set early but the Titans would score 5 consecutive points allowing them to build a lead. The Lions were never able to cut into the lead setting up a winner take all set 5. The Lions would turn to their two workhorses
Brooke Aselage and
Emily Abshire to take over the match. After a pair of kills from Abshire and a kill from Aselage the Lions held a early 3-1 lead. But, the Titans would answer and take a 12-10 lead. The Lions never hesitated and attacked the Titans scoring 5 straight points to claim victory.
GAME FOUR: MSJ - 3 WILMINGTON - 0
In the final game of the Invitational the Lions would square off against the Quakers of Wilmington. The Lions had no troubles offensively to begin the last match of the weekend. The Lions jumped out to an early 14-5 lead including 3 straight kills from
Morgan Whitaker. The Lions never let off the gas in the 1st set winning 25-10. In set 2 The Mount continued to set the tone of the match. The Lions fell down 5-4 early but responded well scoring 5 straight points to take the lead. The Lions never let the lead get away taking set 2 25-17. In the Lions final set of the weekend they would go on their longest scoring run. The Lions trailed early again 6-4 but answered with 9 straight points to take a controlling 13-6 lead. The Lions would leave no doubt defeating the Quakers 25-17 sweeping them in straight sets.
Emily Abshire led the way for the Lions to start the year. Abshire finished the weekend with a team-high 46 kills.
Brooke Aselage was also dominant for the Lions finishing the weekend with 37 kills. Junior
Grace Young was efficient for the Lions totaling 23 kills while hitting .333 including 8 blocks. Defensively
Erin Androne was great finishing with 62 total digs.
UP NEXT: Your Mount St. Joseph University Lions are back in action next Friday, September 9th as they travel to Alliance, Ohio to compete at the Purple and White Invitational. The Lions are set to compete against Allegheny, Muskingum, Marietta and Mount Union.
