EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Ohio Dominican's volleyball team suffered a pair of setbacks at the Dunn Hospitality Invitational on Saturday, falling by 3-0 scores to Southern Indiana and McKendree.

With the losses, ODU dropped to 1-3 on the season.

In the opener against Southern Indiana, the Panthers let the first set slip away as they could not hold on to a 24-18 lead, ultimately falling 31-29. USI scored seven straight points to go in front 25-24 and the Panthers staved off several set points after that, but with the set tied at 29 after a kill from sophomore Jackie Oestreich (Brighton, Mich.), the Screaming Eagles scored the final two points.

ODU again had a late lead in the second set, going in front 22-18, before USI rallied again. The Screaming Eagles again took a 25-24 lead after a 7-2 run, but ODU would rebound and had three chances to serve for the set. USI fought off each time though, and scored the final three points to take a 32-30 win.

The Panthers then managed just seven kills in the third set, while USI hit .423, to take a 25-13 win and claim the match.

Oestreich had eight kills in 17 swings for the Panthers, hitting .471 for the match, while junior Tory Thompson (Quincy, Ohio) tallied nine terminations. Junior Kelsey Fortney (Lorain, Ohio) finished with 21 assists and senior Lauren Rindler (Rossburg, Ohio) had a career-best 26 digs.

In the nightcap, McKendree hit .324, compared to .100 for the Panthers. The Bearcats won the first set 25-21, followed by a 25-15 and 27-15 victory in the second and third frames.

Thompson registered nine more kills, while freshman Ciara Ralston (Findlay, Ohio) had six kills in 15 attacks.

Fortney and freshman Ashlin Aiken (Onsted, Mich.) each tallied 13 assists and Thompson added eight digs.

The Panthers return to action at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cedarville.

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu