The College of Wooster volleyball battled with North Coast Athletic Conference foe Denison University (6-13, 3-4 NCAC) inside Livingston Gymnasium in Granville, Ohio, on Saturday morning, eventually pulling out a grueling come-from-behind three sets to two by scores of 25-11, 23-25, 19-25, 25-21, 15-12 over the Big Red.
           
Wooster (13-10, 7-2 NCAC) did fall in its second match of the day with Capital University (21-5), losing in straight sets by scores of 25-11, 25-18, 25-11.
           
After winning the opening set against Denison, the Big Red secured the next two sets, and took a 2-1 advantage headed into the fourth set. With the score tied at 20-20, Wooster rattled off five of the next six points, and tied the match at two sets apiece. During the decisive fifth set, Wooster traded points with the hosts before securing the set and the match victory.
           
Leading Wooster offensive in the conference victory over Denison was freshman Sarah Hawke, who pounded down a career-high 18 kills. Junior KateLynn Riley notched 14 kills for Wooster in the win along with two block solos and five block assists at the net.
           
Additionally, sophomore Abby Jensen paced the backline with 17 digs against Denison, while freshman Lizzi Beal added 11 digs to go along with her 37 assists and three kills.
           
The Crusaders jumped out early in the opening set against Wooster, and never relinquished that advantage in sweeping the Scots in three sets.
           
Riley lead the Wooster offense with nine kills against Capital, while senior Megan Earle racked up 12 digs in the loss.
          
Wooster moves back into conference play this week by hosting Earlham College (3-19, 1-7 NCAC) at Timken Gym on Friday at 7 p.m.