BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University women's volleyball hosted crosstown rival John Carroll University for a huge OAC matchup inside the Lou Higgins Center. Battling five sets, the Yellow Jackets lost the heartbreaker by set scores of 25-12, 24-26, 21-25, 26-24, and 13-15.
In Ursprung Gymnasium, BW (16-9, 2-4 OAC) got the hot start, dominating the first set over the Blue Streaks (11-14, 2-4 OAC) by a 25-12 score. The Yellow Jackets notched 15 kills and hit .268 as a team. Finding some momentum in set two, the Blue Streaks led about halfway through before BW surged to find themselves tied 20-20. Leading 24-20, JCU rallied to score six straight to claim the set two win.
Splitting the next two, the Yellow Jackets and Blue Streaks made their way to the tie-breaking fifth set. JCU earned the quick jump to go up 3-0, causing BW to take a timeout. The Blue Streaks again scored three straight points to extend the lead to six points and forcing the Yellow Jackets to take their second and final timeout of the set. Maintaining the lead the rest of the way, JCU claimed set five and the match by ending on a 15-13 score.
The Blue Streaks led in total blocks (13-6) while the Yellow Jackets earned the advantage in kills (59-46), digs (95-82), assists (58-44), and service aces (11-7).
BW was led by senior First Team All-OAC performer and Academic All-OAC outside hitter Ivy Earl (Howell, Mich.) who finished with a double-double, totaling 17 kills and 14 digs. Earl also added two service aces and two block assists. Junior Academic All-OAC middle hitter Isa Luciano (Willoughby/South) tallied 13 kills, four total blocks, and two service aces.
Freshman libero Lauren Gardner (Avon/Saint Joseph Academy) notched 27 total digs and added seven assists while senior Academic All-OAC defensive specialist Morgan Martin (Seven Hills/Trinity) posted a 16-dig total.
Freshman setter Lauren Reid (Canonsburg, Pa./Upper Saint Clair) dished out 51 assists and added 13 digs for BW. Freshman right side hitter Allison Weiner (Columbus/St. Francis DeSales) earned nine kills and Freshman outside hitter Sam Rueda (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) came off the bench to add seven kills and a block solo for the Yellow Jackets.
BW returns to play this Saturday, October 23 as the Yellow Jackets travel to Wilmington College for another OAC contest. The match is set it begin at 1:00 p.m. in Fred Raizk Arena.
