Scots Come Up Short in NCAC Opener

DELAWARE, Ohio – Junior Hayley Nash eclipsed 20 kills for the fourth time this season on Friday evening, as The College of Wooster volleyball team opened North Coast Athletic Conference play at Ohio Wesleyan University's Branch Rickey Arena. Ohio Wesleyan won 25-20, 10-25, 25-21, 25-23.

Wooster (10-5, 0-1 NCAC) finished just shy of .400 in the attack percentage column in the second set. Nash went off for eight kills on 14 swings, with two coming on back-to-back points that resulted in the Fighting Scots breaking the set wide open at 21-5. Those two kills came as part of a 7-0 stretch that was started by another Nash kill, while junior Emily Gail fired off consecutive aces after the Scots' outside hitter's run-opening score. Earlier in the set, Nash toed the service line during Wooster's 7-0 run, and she served up both of her aces on the night during that spree.

The Scots simply ran out of time in the third set, as Wooster was on an 8-1 run when Ohio Wesleyan's (7-8, 1-0 NCAC) Eliza Richardson closed out the frame with a kill. Prior to that, senior Katie Billetdeaux's kill pulled Wooster within 24-21, and the senior middle had three kills during the 8-1 spurt.

Wooster opened the fourth set on an 8-2 run, but consecutive aces by Ohio Wesleyan's Alex Disbro ultimately tipped the scale in favor of the Battling Bishops. An Ohio Wesleyan attack error pulled Wooster within one at 20-19, and later, Olivia Osuna was whistled for a ball handling error that enabled Wooster to climb within one at 23-22. A service error by Kaitlyn Peters on match point gave Wooster a chance, but the Scots were unable to mount an offensive surge.

Nash's 21 kills led all players, and Billetdeaux was next among Wooster's squad at 14. Junior Sydney Fitzcharles added 18 digs. Senior Syd Case dished out 43 assists.

Richardson's 15 kills were tops among Ohio Wesleyan's team. Neah White matched Fitzcharles for the night's high in digs at 18.

Next, Wooster hosts Marietta College (3-7) at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 28.