COLUMBUS, OH - Tonight, in a packed Alumni Hall, the Ohio Dominican volleyball team opened postseason play after a historic regular season, finishing 23–5 overall and 13–2 in conference. As the No. 3 seed in the G-MAC Tournament, the Panthers hosted No. 6 Ashland in the quarterfinals and swept the Eagles 3–0, improving to 10–1 at home.

Across the three sets, ODU dominated nearly every statistical category except blocks, where Ashland held a 7–4 edge. The Panthers posted 44 kills to the Eagles' 33 and delivered a commanding 6–1 advantage in service aces. They also won the digs battle 46–39, while setters Saige Avery and Gabrielle Kirker led a 40–32 assist margin.

Junior Ava Horn paced the Black and Gold with 10 kills, her first time leading the team this season. Jenna Peters followed with nine kills and two blocks, matched by Grace Zinchuk's nine kills and one block. Peters and Avery each tallied two aces. Libero Christen Tarter anchored the defense with 13 digs, and Avery added 20 assists.

Set one brought the most tension of the night, with Ashland forcing extra points. The Eagles opened strong before ODU found its rhythm midway through. A six-point run behind Lauren Dinunzi's serving created breathing room, but Ashland answered with a 5–1 surge to take a 21–20 lead. The Panthers responded with focus, closing on a 4–1 push to secure the set 27–25.

ODU took firmer control in set two. Horn heated up in the middle, pressuring the AU defense as the Panthers built a 7–1 run for an 18–11 lead. Steady swings from Peters and Zinchuk kept the momentum rolling, helping ODU claim the set and a 2–0 match advantage.

Ashland battled early in set three, keeping the score tight at 12–11. But a 5–1 ODU run extended the lead to 17–12, and the Panthers maintained command the rest of the way. Avery sealed the 25–18 win with back-to-back serves, securing ODU's 24th victory of the year.

NEXT
With the sweep, Ohio Dominican advances to the G-MAC semifinals for the third straight season. The Panthers will face No. 2 Findlay, which swept Thomas More 3–0 in the quarterfinal round and is responsible for ODU's only home loss this season. The match will be held at Cedarville University's Callan Athletic Center, hosted by the tournament's top seed, at 7 PM.