The Ashland University volleyball team used a strong block and service to dismantle visiting Northwood in straight sets, 25-23, 25-18, 25-23, on Saturday (Oct. 21) afternoon in Kates Gymnasium to extend its home winning streak to 23 matches.
The Eagles (13-9, 6-5 GLIAC), in the midst of a four-match homestand, racked up nine blocks and had six aces on Saturday.
After leading for much of the first set, the Eagles fell behind, 22-18, after a 9-2 run by the Timberwolves (12-10, 4-7 GLIAC). Following an AU timeout, Northwood committed a service error and freshman Kali Apelt and junior Reanne Neal combined on back-to-back blocks to cut the deficit to 22-21.
The teams then traded service errors before kills by redshirt-sophomore Michaela Ping and sophomore Shelby Woycik gave the Eagles set point. An error by Northwood gave the Eagles the opening-set win.
In Set 2, the Eagles turned an 8-6 lead into a 16-7 advantage with an 8-1 run with freshman McKinley Smith and senior Melanie Aguayo serving. Freshman Zoie Franklin and Neal capped the run with kills. Neal's kill clinched the second-set win for the Eagles.
The third set saw eight tie scores and four lead changes, but the Eagles prevailed after withstanding a late run by the Timberwolves. Ping put down the final kill for Ashland.
Woycik led the Eagles with 13 kills (.189) as five other players had at least three kills. She also added 10 digs.
Franklin had seven kills (.273) with just one error. Apelt dished out 29 assists and added four blocks, seven digs and two aces. Neal finished with six kills (.333) with four blocks.
The Eagles hit .216 as a team and held the Timberwolves to a .163 mark. Sydney Greulich paced Northwood with nine kills.
The Eagles conclude their four-match homestand next weekend, beginning Friday (Oct. 27) at 7 p.m. when they play Wayne State.
AU
VB/BB