AURORA, Ill. – Ohio Dominican's volleyball team took the opening two sets on route to a 3-1 (25-21, 25-23, 16-25, 25-18) victory over Quincy to open up play at the Midwest Regional Crossover.

After falling to Quincy three sets-to-one early in the season, the Panthers (10-9, 4-5 GLIAC) returned the favor to the Hawks (9-11, 4-5 GLVC) in the first of three matches at the Crossover this weekend.

Three Panthers posted at least nine kills in the match, as they were led by senior Tory Thompson (Quincy, OH) with 17. Sophomore Ciara Ralston (Findlay, OH) added 10 kills, while hitting a team high .257.

Seniors Kelsey Fortney (Lorain, OH) and Darby Slavin (Columbus, OH) each posted double-digit assists with Fortney recording a team high 26, while Slavin added 12.

Thompson logged 19 digs, and freshman Anna Ficker (Cincinnati, OH) had a team high 20 digs in the match.

The Hawks would hold the advantage in total hitting percentage at .156-to-.127. However, ODU would outhit Quincy in the second and fourth sets. The Black and Gold posted a 48-46 advantage in kills, while also logging a plus in the assist column at 45-44.

The Panthers took the first three points of the opening set, but Quincy would stay close throughout as the latest tie of frame would be at 18-18. ODU outdueled the Hawks 7-3 down the stretch to take the opening set.

Using a 7-2 run early in the second set, the Panthers opened up a 9-4 advantage after a service ace from Ralston. ODU stretched its lead in the frame to as many as nine on two occasions with kills from freshman Rebecca Skidmore (Westerville, OH) and Ralston. Ralston's kill gave the Panthers a 17-8 lead. The Hawks rallied, but the Black and Gold held on for a 25-23 set victory.

After taking 15 of the final 22 points in the second frame, Quincy continued its run by posting a 9-3 advantage early in the third set. The Hawks led by as many as nine points on three separate occasions, taking the frame by nine at 25-16.

The fourth set stayed tight early as before the Panthers went on a 7-1 run to take a 20-14 lead. Each side took five of the final 10 rallies as ODU capped the win with a 25-19 set victory.

The Panthers will have two matches on Saturday, October 17 to wrap up the Crossover. ODU will go up against Kentucky Wesleyan at 11 a.m. prior to facing off with Maryville at 5 p.m. in the Great Lakes Center.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu