Olivet defeats Ohio Christian in three close sets

OLIVET, Mich. – The University of Olivet women's volleyball team defeated Ohio Christian University in three sets tonight inside the Cutler Event Center. The Comets won each of the three sets by matching 25-23 scores.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Olivet defeated Ohio Christian 25-23, 25-23, 25-23
• Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 12-5 overall, Ohio Christian 10-12 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

• A service ace by junior Jaydn Cary put the Comets ahead 7-2 in the first set. The Trailblazers fought back to tie the score at 9-9. Olivet scored five of the next six points to go up 14-10. Ohio Christian chipped away at its deficit and eventually leveled the score at 16-16. From there, the teams traded points to create five more tied scores. After the fifth time at 22-22, a bad set by the Trailblazers and senior Abi Nunez slammed down a kill to put the Comets ahead 24-22. Ohio Christian scored the next point before another Nunez kill ended the set.
• Olivet built a 7-1 lead in the second set. The Comets stretched their advantage to as many as nine points, 16-7. The Trailblazers came all the way back to tie the score at 21-21. Kills by sophomore Julia Hall and junior Morgan Good, followed by a double block at the net got Olivet to set point. Ohio Christian answered with two points to make the score 24-23. Hall closed the set with a kill.
• In the third set, Olivet built an 11-point cushion at 21-10. The Trailblazers battled back by scoring 11 of the next 12 points to make the score 22-21. Ohio Christian and the Comets traded points for a 24-23 score. Olivet won the set and match when a Trailblazer attack outside the antenna.

FOR THE COMETS

• For the match, Olivet totaled 40 kills to 33 for the Trailblazers. The difference in the match was the Comets had a .135 attack percentage compared to .071 for Ohio Christian.
• Nunez recorded a match-high 14 kills and 18 digs.
• Hall tallied nine kills.
• Senior Hayleah McFadden was next with eight kills.
• Hall and McFadden each had five assisted blocks.
• Senior Teagan Giannunzio registered 29 set assists.
• Cary finished with 15 digs.
• Freshman Ashlynn Giannunzio also reached double digits in digs with 11. She also served a team-leading three aces.

UP NEXT

• Olivet opens Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play next Tuesday, October 1, when it hosts Adrian College. The first serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.