Scots Cruise to 3-0 Win On Drushal’s Historic Night

WOOSTER, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University came into Timken Gymnasium Wednesday night with ideas of pulling out a key North Coast Athletic Conference road win against the College of Wooster volleyball team, but the Scots didn't allow that to happen, prevailing in three sets over the Battling Bishops by scores of 25-18, 25-11, 25-19. The victory moves Wooster's record to 19-12 overall and 12-3 in the conference, and secures the No. 2 seed in the upcoming postseason NCAC tournament.

Senior libero Ali Drushal recorded 16 digs for the Scots' defensive unit during Wooster's Dig for the Cure night, giving her 698 on the season and 3,007 for her career. Already the College's career record holder, Drushal becomes just the 10th player in the history of NCAA women's volleyball, regardless of division, to amass 3,000 or more career digs.

In the match, Ohio Wesleyan (7-21, 5-9 NCAC) jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the opening set before Wooster rattled off a 6-1 run and took back the lead 7-5. Ohio Wesleyan fought back with a 7-1 spurt of its own, holding a 12-8 advantage. Following a Battling Bishop hitting error which made the lead 12-9 in favor of the visitors, Drushal served seven straight points and gave Wooster a 16-13 lead, a bulge it would never relinquish in taking the opening set.

In set two, Wooster raced to leads of 8-0, 14-2, and 21-5 en route to the win for the set and a two sets to none lead.
During the final set, Drushal recorded her historic dig during the second point of the set, as the hosts held leads of 9-5, 16-11, and notched their 12th NCAC victory with the final point coming on a block assist by freshman Sarah Hawke and junior KateLynn Riley. The 12 NCAC wins by Wooster mark the most in the program's history since the conference adopted the new scheduling policy of having to play each team twice during the regular season back in 2006.

Riley continued her assault on the opposition with another stellar all-around performance. The third-year Scot, who leads the league with 3.80 kills per set, posted a team-high 13 kills along with two block solos and six block assists. Senior Megan Earle aided the Wooster cause with a strong all-around performance as well, tallying a team-best 17 digs and seven kills. Freshman Meredith Kiefer nailed down six kills and helped out defensively with four block assists, while Hawke wound up with four block assists. Junior Sarah Lorch was also a force at the net, tacking on three kills and three block assists.

Additionally, Wooster freshman setter Lizzi Beal handed out 30 assists and racked up two service aces.

The Scots will conclude the home portion of their regular-season schedule Saturday when they do battle with NCAC foe Denison University (10-16, 7-7 NCAC), which Wooster edged earlier this season by a 3-2 count down in Granville. The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. inside Timken Gymnasium.