COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a defensive minded struggle, Ohio Dominican's volleyball team suffered a 3-1 (25-21, 19-25, 22-25, 21-25) setback to Saginaw Valley in GLIAC play from Alumni Hall.

The Panthers (7-6, 2-2 GLIAC) held Saginaw Valley (10-2, 2-2 GLIAC) to a .172 hitting percentage but hit just .119 as the Cardinals registered 106 digs (26.5 per set).

Senior Tory Thompson (Quincy, Ohio) totaled 14 kills and 20 digs for her sixth double-double and also picked up a career-high five blocks. Junior Jackie Oestreich (Brighton, Mich.) added 11 kills with five blocks and sophomore Ciara Ralston (Findlay, Ohio) and freshman Kelly Nadler (Leipsic, Ohio) each managed nine kills.

Senior Kelsey Fortney (Lorain, Ohio) and sophomore Ashlin Aiken (Onsted, Mich.) each totaled 19 assists and freshman Anna Ficker (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the Panthers with 23 digs.

In the opening set, ODU led 19-18 before Thompson ripped off three kills to put the Panthers in front 22-19, and Oestreich's kill put the set away.

The Panthers then jumped to a 7-0 lead in the second set, but SVSU answered with a 9-1 run and eventually built a 15-10 lead. The Panthers would draw no closer than three points down the stretch.

ODU trailed for much of the third set but made a late run, drawing within 22-21 on Oestreich's kill and 23-22 on Ralston's termination. However, the Cardinals scored the final two points of the set, then pulled away late in the fourth set to take the match.

Freshman Rebecca Skidmore (Westerville, Ohio) finished with six blocks to also lead the Panthers.

Ohio Dominican plays at Tiffin at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu