COLUMBUS, Ohio – On Saturday afternoon, the Ohio Dominican volleyball team wrapped up their home opening week by hosting the University of Findlay, who are receiving votes in the AVCA. The Panthers defeated the Oilers in a thrilling five-set match, 3-2.

Box Score Notes

• For the eleventh time in a row, senior Kelsey Shoup (Dalton, Ohio) recorded double digit digs with 23. Shoup's 23 digs today marked her sixth 20+ dig game this fall. Joining her in double figures was Lauren Lucas (Grover City, Ohio) with 16 and Alexis Keipert (Burlington, Ky.) with 11.
• Leading the way at the net was Ashley Aselage (Tipp City, Ohio) with 14 kills. Lucas added nine kills to the mix with Jenna Peters (Vermilion, Ohio) accounting for eight. Ashley Chmielewski (Roscommon, Mich.) and Grace Zinchuk (Schaumburg, Ill.) both grabbed seven kills in the match.
• For the third time this season, the Black and Gold netted over 10 blocks with 17 today. Freshman Ava Horn (Whitehouse, Ohio) led the way with 10 blocks, one solo and nine assists. Following her was Zinchuk and Aselage with seven apiece.
• ODU tallied 47 assists with Gabrielle Kirker (Tallmadge, Ohio) grabbing 23 and Saige Avery (Yorkville, Ill.) having 20. Kirker recorded her fourth double-double of the season by adding 12 digs in the five sets.

How It Happened

• The Panthers started fast with an early 5-2 start off consecutive blocks from Zinchuk. The Oilers rallied back to tie it up at 10-all, but the Black and Gold responded with a strong 5-0 run, making it 15-10. Ohio Dominican remained in the lead, allowing Findlay to come within one, but ultimately took the opening set, 26-24.
• The two traded points in the beginning of the second set, making it even at 12-12. Service aces from Keipert and Kirker allowed the Panthers to take a 20-15 lead. UF recorded four kills to make it 24-23, but a hitting error hurt them, allowing ODU to win 25-23, and take a 2-0 lead.
• Down two sets to none, the Oilers came out with a chip on their shoulder in the third set, taking a 12-6 lead. Findlay extended their lead to 17-9 with a four-point swing. The Black and Gold rallied late, coming within four but couldn't overcome the offensive of the Oilers, falling 25-21.
• With the momentum shifted in the fourth set, UF ran out to an early 11-6 lead. After going down seven points, Ohio Dominican added back-to-back service aces from Keipert during a four-point run to make it 17-14. Despite a strong effort, the Oilers remained on top, winning the set 25-20 to force a fifth set.
• With the game on the line, the Orange and Black challenged the Panthers early by taking a 7-3 lead. ODU responded with a service ace from Shoup and consecutive kills from Horn and Peters to tie it at 10-all. From there, the Black and Gold won five of the next seven points, winning the final set 15-12, and defeating Findlay, 3-2.

Up Next
Ohio Dominican remains at home next Tuesday, welcoming the Eagles of Ashland University for a 6:00 PM first serve.