CINCINNATI, Ohio - Finally the Mount St. Joseph University women's volleyball team opened their 2023 home schedule. The Lions opened the season with nine games away from the Harrington Center, before finally returning home to take on the Wilmington College Quakers. Playing at home finally allowed the Mount Community to see the #19 team in the country take the court, and the community showed up in force to support the team.
The Lions did not disappoint their home crowd, winning in straight sets over the Quakers.
In set one the score was tight over the early portion of the action, but the Lions were able to stretch their lead to five at 14-9. The lead remained between 3 and 5 much of the set, until late in the set when they stretched the lead to 21-14. From that point though the Quakers proved they were not going to quit, fighting back and eventually take a 24-23 lead. Wilmington scored 7-straight points to get to that point, but the Lions then forced a side out and took the next two points to secure the set 26-24.
During set two it was much of the same, as they teams were close through the early going. With the scored tied at 5, the Lions got an incredible 7-point service run by
Grace Young that pushed them ahead 13-5. The Lions maintained that sizable lead, even pushing it to a 9-point margin at 20-11. Once again though Wilmington had a run in them, scoring 9 of the next 12 points to draw within 3. The Lions got a huge side out on a kill by
Addie Conley and then
Grace Wilking finished the set off with an ace.
Set three once again was hotly contested through the early going, Wilmington even holding a 13-12 lead in the middle of the set. This time though it was a couple of runs by the Lions that would put the set and match away. The Mount outscored Wilmington 12-3 the rest of the way to secure their 10th win of the season.
The Lions were led offensively by
Emma Sicking who had a team-high 13 kills, reigning HCAC Offensive Player of the Week
Grace Young was once again outstanding with 12 kills and a .391 hitting percentage.
Setter
Jasmine Butler had a double-double with 35 assists and 10 digs. Joining Butler with double-digit digs were Hanna Graves with a team-high 12, and libero
Erin Androne with 10.
UP NEXT: The #19 Lions will head to Otterbein to put their 10-0 record on the line in a couple of tough matches against OAC teams. The will face off with #24 Ohio Northern at 6 pm and the host Otterbein at 8 pm.
