BEREA, Ohio -- The Baldwin Wallace University volleyball team opened Ohio Athletic Conference as it won a five-set thriller against Muskingum University in the in the Ursprung Gymnasium inside the Lou Higgins Center.

BW (18-3, 1-0 OAC) defeated Muskingum (13-6, 0-1 OAC) by scores of 19-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-17 and 15-13.  

Freshman outside hitter Morgan Thomas (Northfield/Nordonia) sparked the offense with a career and match-high 19 kills.  Freshman outside hitter Alicia Lortcher (Norwalk) tallied 15 kills.

Freshman setter Ashley Nuding (Perrysburg /Springfield) set up the offense with 43 assists and had two service aces.

Junior All-OAC libero Arlayna Newcomer (Norwalk/St. Paul) anchored the defense with a match-high 23 digs.  Lortcher recorded 17 digs and freshman defensive specialist Brittany Miner (Canton/Massillon Perry) added 11.  

In addition, freshman middle hitter Lauren Gehring (Wadsworth/Norton) had six blocks.

The Yellow Jackets are back in action on Tuesday, October 6 when they travel to Tiffin for an OAC first place showdown with Heidelberg University in the Seiberling Gymnasium at 7 p.m.