Scots Fall in NCAC/MIAA Crossover Finale

The College of Wooster volleyball team concluded the North Coast Athletic Conference/Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Crossover with a four-set loss to Alma College, 25-14, 26-28, 25-16, 25-19. 

Alma (5-2) jumped out to an early lead but a quick timeout followed by back-to-back kills from senior Ty Thompson and junior Amelia Mitchell helped Wooster (3-4) claw back into the opening frame.

However, Alma's offense had an answer in the form of a 5-0 run, building a comfortable lead that eventually led to capturing the first set. Wooster made a late push, though, winning four of the final six points, but the deficit was too much to overcome. 

Seniors Caroline Dillard and Troy Johnson combined for a block midway through the second set that turned momentum in Wooster's favor as it rattled off nine of the next 12 points. An Alma timeout then sparked a mini 3-0 run for a set point.

Wooster held off four set points for a 24-24 tie and then six points later, a Dillard kill evened up the match at a set apiece.

Alma settled itself in the final two sets and used timely runs early in the third and late in the fourth to secure the victory.

Dillard and Mitchell both racked up 13 kills, marking a season high for Mitchell. First-year Emma Fleck recorded the first double-double of her young career with 21 assists and 15 digs. Thompson dished out 11 assists of her own while junior Tamara Turner led the defense with 21 digs. 

Three different Alma players notched double digit kills, led by Madison Neu's match high of 15 kills. Vicky Villarosa had 24 assists and Kolbey Boyd tallied 18 digs. 

Wooster returns to action on Sept. 15 to compete in the Oberlin Invite. The Scots will take on the California Institute of Technology at 2 p.m. followed by Pitt.-Bradford (Pa.) at 4 p.m. inside the Philips Gymnasium on the campus of Oberlin College.