KIRKSVILLE, Mo. –- The Ashland University volleyball team had an almost perfect trip in Missouri until falling to seventh-ranked Minnesota-Duluth, 3-1 early Saturday (Sept. 1) evening.
The Eagles started strong taking the first set by two points, 27-25, but could not hang on in the final three sets, suffering their first loss.
Baley Bernthisel (Grand Rapids, Ohio / Otsego), who posted 12 kills, led the Eagle offense, while Susie Jonas (Harrison, Ohio / Harrison) added 10 kills on the evening. Senior Crystal Elliott (Canal Winchester, Ohio / Canal Winchester) recorded 34 assists.
Ashland (3-1) beat the now 4-0 Bulldogs in the first set of the match. The Eagles recorded a .341 hitting percentage in the first, tallying 18 kills an having only four errors. However it was Minnesota-Duluth who claimed the next three sets, with three Bulldogs recording 10 or more kills in the match.
Ashland ended the competition with a hitting percentage of .180. The Eagles had 45 kills, 43 assists and attacked the ball 128 times. The Bulldogs hit .359 percent, totaling 63 kills and 59 assists.
The Eagles are now 3-1 as they head back to Ashland to prepare for the Lock Haven Invitational that starts Friday, Sept. 7.