NEW CONCORD, Ohio - The Baldwin Wallace University women's volleyball team took on Muskingum University on Performance Court inside the Anne C. Steele Center. The Yellow Jackets (11-9, 2-3 OAC) fell to the Fighting Muskies (14-5, 3-2 OAC) in three sets by scores of 25-23, 25-14, and 26-24.

SUMMARY

BW called an early timeout in set one after getting out to a 9-4 deficit. The Yellow Jackets exhausted their second and final timeout of the set after falling behind 17-10. BW went on a 7-2 run and with an ace by freshman defensive specialist Paige Contris (Pemberville/Eastwood) closed the gap to two points, forcing the Fighting Muskies to a timeout (19-17 MU). A block by sophomore outside hitter Sam Rueda (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) and freshman middle hitter Maleia Thurber (Temecula, Calif./Chaparral) brought BW within one point, causing the home team to its second timeout (21-20 MU). Muskingum outscored the Yellow Jackets 4-2 to close the first set (25-23), Fighting Muskies leading 1-0 in the match.

The Yellow Jackets fell behind 9-4 the start the second set, calling a timeout. BW took its second timeout after trailing 16-8. The Fighting Muskies from that point outscored BW 9-6 to claim set two (25-14) and go up 2-0 in the match.

BW fell behind 10-3 to start set three. After trailing 18-9 behind the Fighting Muskies, the Yellow Jackets went on a 6-1 run to force Muskingum to a timeout, 19-15 MU. Three straight kills by Rueda brought the Yellow Jackets within one point, forcing another Fighting Muskies timeout (21-20 MU). Down one point, two more kills by Rueda earned BW the 23-22 advantage. With the set tied 24-24, two points by the Fighting Muskies earned Muskingum the set (26-24) and match, 3-0, win. 

KEY STATS 

18 - Rueda totaled a match-high 18 kills, leading the team, and added eight digs
24 - Sophomore All-OAC libero Lauren Gardner (Avon/Saint Joseph Academy) led the team with 24 digs and finished with three assists and two aces
27 - Junior setter Olivia Zawadzki (Hilliard/Darby) posted 27 assists, nine digs, and four kills

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets return to the court on Wednesday, October 19 when they host Heidelberg University for an OAC matchup. The match is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Ursprung Gymnasium inside the Lou Higgins Center.