Emily Gail

WOOSTER, Ohio – Armed with a strong service game all night long, the Ohio Wesleyan University volleyball team swept The College of Wooster in unique fashion, as all three sets ended in 25-15 scores on Friday at Timken Gymnasium.

Ohio Wesleyan's (5-11, 1-0 North Coast Athletic Conference) Eliza Richardson served up four aces in a row in set one, and that opened up a 13-6 lead for the Battling Bishops, who went on to log 15 aces for the match. Sophomore Katie Billetdeaux dialed up an ace to pull Wooster (7-9, 1-1 NCAC) within 19-15, and that capped a balanced first set consisting of three kills, the ace, a solo block, and a dig for the Scots' top middle.

A decisive 9-0 run was turned in by the Battling Bishops midway through the second set, and Molly Jewett's three aces were at the forefront of that stretch. Junior Meghan Botsch did her part to keep numerous rallies alive with a near double-double for the set, thanks to nine assists and six digs, but Ohio Wesleyan kept Wooster's runs to a minimum with a 12-for-16 showing on side-out chances.

Junior Bradlee Hartman sparked Wooster during the third set's onset, starting with a "bleeder" serve that grazed the net and fell on Ohio Wesleyan's side for an ace. A Billetdeaux killed followed, but Ohio Wesleyan quickly seized control of the set with a 9-1 run, during which Richardson stuffed the stat sheet with three kills.

First-year Emily Gail led Wooster's front line with seven kills and a .400 attack percentage on the night, while Botsch's 11 digs marked the co-match-high. Other stats to note included nine digs by sophomore Seven Townsel and five impressive third-set digs by first-year Maley Tinstman.

Richardson's 13 kills and five aces were the match-highs, while the Battling Bishops' rookie added six digs.

Next, Wooster's at Marietta College (10-7) for a 7 p.m. match on Tuesday, Oct. 1.