The Ashland University volleyball team got off to a strong start Friday (Sept. 7) at the Lock Haven Invitational. The Eagles won both of their Friday matches, stopping Dominican, 3-1 and West Virginia Wesleyan, 3-0. AU is 5-1 with the only loss coming to nationally ranked Minnesota-Duluth.
The Eagles clipped Dominican 23-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-15. Senior Brittany Snider (Olmsted Falls, Ohio) continued her fine early season play with a team-high 21 kills. Snider finished off a double-double with 17 digs. Junior Baley Bernthisel (Grand Rapids, Ohio/Otsego) recorded 11 kills and three service aces. Senior Crystal Elliott (Canal Winchester, Ohio) tied Snider for the team high in digs (17) and had 38 assists.
The loss dropped Dominican to 1-4.
The Eagles shut down West Virginia Wesleyan, 25-16, 25-21, 25-15. This was Ashland's third 3-0 triumph this season.
Snider had a team-high 16 kills and 12 digs. Bernthisel had 10 kills, a .474 hitting percentage (10-1-19) and Marci Zegarac (Lansing, Ill./South) had a team-best 20 digs and four service aces.
The loss left the Bobcats with a 4-2 record.
On Saturday, the Eagles will play Queens (N.Y.) and the host Bald Eagles. Lock Haven was picked to finish first in the PSAC East Division in the conference's preseason poll.
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