Jordan Murray

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster volleyball team fell in its final home conference match on Saturday afternoon, as third-ranked Wittenberg University won in straight sets 25-11, 25-16, 25-15 at Timken Gymnasium.

Wooster (13-10, 2-5 North Coast Athletic Conference) out-blocked Wittenberg 6-5 on the afternoon, and the Scots wasted no time getting their first block of the match with first-year Katie Billetdeaux and senior Ashley Plassard teaming up to stuff Wittenberg's (18-2, 7-0 NCAC) Kennedy Schmidt on the game's first point. After Wooster opened a 4-1 lead, Wittenberg's Aubrey Cox kicked off a 5-0 run for the Tigers with two of her match-high nine kills, and the visitors went on to hit .444 for the set.

In déjà vu fashion, Wooster jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second set, only this time the Scots' early-set block came on the second point in the frame with senior Mayia Karagianni teaming up with Plassard to knock down Taylor Brown's attack attempt. Later, senior Marija Cyvas and Karagianni blocked Paige Kucinic at the net, and that pulled Wooster within three at 15-12. However, Wittenberg responded with a 6-1 run to open up a 21-13 lead.

Senior Gabrielle Basinski served up an ace to cap Wooster's early 3-0 third-set run, and classmate McKenzie Reese kept Wooster on top with an ace that made it 5-3. Three scoring plays later, Medema served up the Scots' third ace of the set to make it 7-4, and the Scots led as late as 9-8. Medema tallied two kills down the stretch of the frame.

Basinski logged a co-match-high 17 digs and made several key saves on free balls throughout the match. Other stats to note include Plassard's four blocks and Medema's .308 attack percentage.

Wittenberg featured four student-athletes with at least eight kills, while libero Taylor Yontz matched Basinski with 17 digs.

Next, Wooster travels to Denison University (9-14, 2-5 NCAC) for a 7 p.m. match on Wednesday, Oct. 24.