Lydia Webster

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster volleyball team needed every bit of five sets to get past Franciscan University of Steubenville, but in the end, the Fighting Scots prevailed in a back-and-forth, marathon match Wednesday evening at Timken Gymnasium.

The Scots (5-11), which had not given up a set to the Lady Barons (4-12) in three previous meetings, including a sweep over them just two weeks ago, found themselves in unfamiliar territory in this battle. Wooster edged out Franciscan in the opening set, 25-23, but then lost the next two (24-26 and 23-25) to sink into a 2-1 hole.

The offense started clicking for the Scots in the fourth set, though, as they jumped out to their biggest lead of the match at 11-6, and then kept the pressure on en route to a 25-17 victory. Wooster recorded a .321 hitting percentage that set, with 10 kills and just one error on 28 swings.

Finally, the Scots carried over their momentum from the fourth set into the fifth and took down Franciscan rather comfortably, 15-10.

Statistically, Wooster totaled 53 kills, with Lydia Webster (14), Savannah Moore (12), Ksenia Klue (11), and Megan Mey (10) all reaching double-figures in that department. Brittany Nicholson led the setters with 24 assists, while Sydney Virgin chipped in 16.

Also noteworthy, Anna Emmick and Webster each had five blocks, while Rachel Sell paced the defense with 21 digs.

The Scots will be back in action Sunday as part of Homecoming weekend, when they host a tri-match with DePauw University (12-1) and Carnegie Mellon University (9-3) that kicks off at noon.