FROSTBURG, MD - The Ohio Dominican volleyball team continued its early-season road trip following a 2-2 weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida. This time, the Panthers traveled to Frostburg, Maryland, to face two more non-conference opponents: Shippensburg University and tournament host Frostburg State. 

ODU split the day, battling to a five-set victory over Shippensburg before falling to Frostburg State in four sets. 

W, 3-2 versus Shippensburg 

In their first match of the day, the Panthers claimed another five-set victory—marking their fourth five-set match of the young season. The sets were tightly contested, with Shippensburg taking the first and third, and ODU responding with wins in sets two, four, and five. 

Several Panthers delivered standout performances. Jenna Peters led in three categories with 16 kills, three aces, and 22 digs. Grace Zinchuk was a force at the net, recording 11 kills and six blocks. Setter Saige Avery added 20 assists and three aces, while Gabrielle Kirker led the team in assists with 24. 

The opening set set the tone for a competitive match. After an even battle, Shippensburg edged out a 27-25 win. ODU answered back in the second set, keeping it close through an 11-11 tie before gradually pulling away for a 25-22 win. 

Set three saw Shippensburg regain the lead, opening a tight 13-12 margin into a 25-17 win. Unfazed, Ohio Dominican came out strong in the fourth set, jumping to a 5-1 lead and never looking back. The Panthers held a steady 15-8 advantage midway through the set and closed it out decisively, 25-14. 

In the decisive fifth set, ODU rode its momentum, building a quick 10-5 lead and sealing the match with a 15-8 win. The victory marked the Panthers' third win of the season and their first of the weekend. 

L, 3-1 @ Frostburg State 

In the second game of the day, the Black and Gold fell to the host, Frostburg State, 3-1. Aside from the score, Ohio Dominican out-performed FSU in some categories 65 versus 45 kills, 9 versus 7 blocks, 60 versus 42 assists and 61 versus 52 digs but Frostburg State was still able to edge out the win – slightly with Frostburg State winning two sets by 2 points.  

Ohio Dominican leaders included, again, senior Jenna Peters with 18 kills and one ace. Saige Avery contributed at the net with 28 assists, three blocks and eleven digs. Lauren Dinunzi with 13 digs and one ace.

The match opened with a competitive first set, which saw ODU leading 19-16 before Frostburg State mounted a late comeback to take the set 25-23. 

Ohio Dominican responded in dominant fashion in the second set, jumping out to a 21-13 lead and cruising to a 25-14 win to tie the match at 1-1. 

Set three followed a similar pattern to the first. ODU stayed within reach, but Frostburg State once again closed strong, pulling ahead from a 23-19 lead to secure a 25-22 set win. 

The fourth set was a back-and-forth battle with neither team gaining more than a two-point advantage late. Tied at 22-22, the Bobcats closed the match with a key kill and a Panther attack error, taking the set 29-27 and the match 3-1. The loss marked Ohio Dominican's third of the season. 

Up Next
The Panthers return to Frostburg State tomorrow to take on Pitt-Johnstown at 2 p.m., before heading home to prepare for Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play.