BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The Ohio Dominican volleyball team dropped both sets of its doubleheader during the final day of play at the Ferris State Invitational Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers (0-4) opened the day with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 27-25) setback to Bemidji State, and then fell 3-1 (25-15, 20-25,25-16, 25-13) to Gannon in the afternoon session. Three of ODU's four opponents at Ferris State qualified for last season's Division II National Tournament.

Freshmen led the way for the Black & Gold, highlighted by 20 kills in two matches from Emilee Fecht (Hilliard, Ohio). Fecht had 13 kills in the night cap, as well as seven against Bemidji State in the opener. The freshman logged a team-best .371 hitting percentage over the seven sets.

Classmate Carleigh Deitsch (St. Henry, Ohio) had a team-high 44 assists, including 30 helpers against Gannon. Deitsch was also one of five Panther players with at least 14 digs on the day.

Sophomore Amanda Remmetter (Springfield, Ohio) had 14 kills (seven in each match), while also pacing ODU with 21 digs. Classmates Riley Kizer (Mason, Ohio) and Abbi Gillson (Canton, Ohio) added 15 and 13 kills, respectively.

The Panthers' first set victory of the season came in the second frame against Gannon, 25-20. With ODU trailing by three points, they finished the set on a 10-2 run, including an 8-0 spurt, to secure the win. Two of Kizer's team-high four kills came during the run, which also included a block from Fecht and Deitsch.

Gannon took the first and final two sets by at least nine points to finish the weekend 2-2. The Knights outgained the Panthers in blocks, 13-6. Both sides hit under .200 in the match.

To open the day, the Panthers failed to reach 20 points in either of the first two sets, falling behind 2-0 to the Beavers. Bemidji State (3-1) then held off a late rally from the Panthers in the third frame to earn a 27-25 decision.

Trailing 20-18, three kills and a service ace helped guide the Panthers to a 24-23 lead in the final set. ODU however, lost four of the final five points in the match.

The Panthers will now break from action until Friday, Sept. 13, when they being a stretch of three matches in two days at the Lindenwood (Mo.) Invitational. Competition will begin at 2 p.m., Friday, against Montevallo.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu