ASHLAND, Ohio – Ohio Dominican's volleyball team lost a tightly contested four set match at Ashland Saturday afternoon in GLIAC play (23-25, 25-11, 21-25, 22-25).

The Panthers out-hit the host Eagles, finishing with a .204 attack percentage to a .184 hitting percentage for AU, but it wasn't enough to come away with the win.

ODU fell to 11-14 (9-7 GLIAC), while Ashland improved to 9-14 (9-7 GLIAC).

Sophomore Jackie Oestreich (Brighton, Mich.) had 12 kills while hitting .370 to lead ODU. Senior Caitlin Kusan (Westerville, Ohio) added nine kills and hit .278 and freshman Ciara Ralston (Findlay, Ohio) totaled eight kills.

Ashland started the first set on a 7-3 run before ODU edged back into it, and the majority of the set was played within two points. ODU went in front 22-21 on an Oestreich kill, but the Eagles recovered to score four of the final five points to take the set.

The Panthers came out firing in the second set, though, racing to a 17-6 lead and hitting .478 in the frame. ODU registered 12 kills with just one error in evening the match at a set apiece.

ODU carried that momentum into the third set, going in front 13-8 on a tandem block by Oestreich and junior Tory Thompson (Quincy, Ohio). The Eagles answered with an 8-2 run to go in front 16-15 and the Panthers still trailed by a point at 19-18. But Ashland scored three straight to pull away and take a 2-1 lead in the match.

The Panthers raced out to a 10-3 in the fourth set and still led 19-15 after a kill by senior Lauren Kraemer (Kettering, Ohio). Ashland, though, answered with a 6-0 run to go in front 21-19. The teams swapped points, but the Eagles finally put it away with a pair of points down the stretch.

Ohio Dominican remains on the road for a 7 p.m. match Friday at Walsh.

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu