COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Dominican volleyball team welcomed the nationally ranked No. 23 Findlay Oilers to Alumni Hall on Friday evening for a G-MAC showdown. Despite a strong effort, the Panthers came up short, falling 3-1 in the four-set battle. ODU claimed the second set 25-20, but Findlay secured the win with set scores of 25-17, 20-25, 25-18, and 25-21. 

Senior outside hitter Jenna Peters led the way for the Panthers, recording a double-double with 16 kills and 13 digs, along with 5 blocks to anchor the defense. Setter Gabrielle Kirker tallied a team-high 19 assists, followed closely by Saige Avery with 18. Libero Christen Tarter was a standout in the back row, posting a match-high 28 digs. At the net, Grace Zinchuk was effective on both sides of the ball, finishing with 10 kills and 5 blocks. 

Despite the loss, Ohio Dominican outperformed Findlay in several statistical categories: 

• Blocks: ODU 8, Findlay 6 

• Assists: ODU 45, Findlay 44 

• Digs: ODU 74, Findlay 70 

The Panthers hit .107 for the match, while the Oilers posted a .196 hitting percentage over four sets. 

How It Happened
A tightly contested start gave way to a Findlay run midway through the set. Jenna Leugers sparked a three-point service run to give the Oilers a 14-8 lead. Although ODU got key kills from Avery and Peters, Findlay capitalized on late kills from Hannah Miller to close out the set 25-17. 

ODU flipped the script in the second set, using multiple scoring runs to seize control. A 3-0 run featuring kills from Peters and Avery gave the Panthers a 14-9 edge. Later, another burst — led by Peters and Ashley Aselage — extended the lead. The Panthers closed strong with consecutive kills from Zinchuk, Peters, and Avery, and Zinchuk capped the set with the final point, 25-20. 

Findlay regained momentum early in the third set, taking advantage of ODU errors to build a 14-9 lead. Setter Emma White delivered a six-point service run that pushed the Oilers ahead 21-12. The Panthers couldn't recover, dropping the set 25-18. 

The final set was a rollercoaster. Findlay opened a 7-5 lead, but ODU responded with a 4-0 run and later a five-point surge to go up 18-12, forcing a Findlay timeout. The Oilers regrouped and answered with a series of runs, including a key four-point swing behind Zoya Winklefoos that gave them the lead for good. Findlay closed out the match 25-21. 

Looking Forward
The loss marks Ohio Dominican's first in G-MAC play. The Panthers will look to bounce back Saturday afternoon as they host Kentucky Wesleyan at 1:00 PM inside Alumni Hall. The match will also serve as Alumni Day, honoring past players who helped build the ODU volleyball program.