Wooster's Third-Set Rally Comes Up Short

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster volleyball team's late third-set rally came up short in Wednesday's 25-20, 25-14, 27-25 loss against Bluffton University at Timken Gymnasium.

Wooster (8-8) had set point in the third set when Abby Lawhorn could not handle senior Lucy Kinser's serve. Senior Tamara Turner's kill pulled Wooster within one before Bluffton's (13-2) Jenna Woods could not connect on a Beaver attack. Paige Massie did convert for a kill following Kinser's ace, then Mallory Fluharty and Massie teamed up at the net to stuff a Wooster attack. Woods finished the match off with her match-high 15th kill.

Earlier, junior Izzy Cozzie started strong, logging four kills in the opening set. The first of those gave Wooster a 3-2 lead. Wooster's lead grew to 13-10 on Turner's ace, but Bluffton went on a 6-1 run right after it to take control of set one. Prior to Turner's ace Cozzie and senior Amelia Mitchell logged consecutive kills to pull Wooster ahead in a set that featured seven ties and two lead changes.

Turner's six digs were Wooster's biggest highlight of set two, which Bluffton led wire-to-wire. A back-row kill from Mitchell while the senior was at the service line was followed by an ace from the outside hitter, as Wooster's 3-0 run pulled the Scots within 13-11. Wooster was within two at 15-13, thanks to a block by sophomore Kora Burill and Turner.

Cozzie's nine kills led Wooster players. Turner had high honors in digs at 13. Wooster ended the match with seven blocks. Burill and Mitchell had four blocks each on their individual lines.

Chloei Barnett backed Woods' 15 kills up with 12. Abby Lawhorn kept 12 Wooster attacks alive, while Kasey Sager was in on five of Bluffton's eight blocks.

Next, Wooster starts North Coast Athletic Conference play at Hiram College (6-8, 0-0 NCAC) at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 28. Wooster also plays Allegheny College (12-3) at 1 p.m. at part of the tri-match.