Volleyball clinches home OAC Tournament game

The Muskingum volleyball team defeated the Heidelberg Student Princes 3-2 (29-27, 25-23, 24-26, 22-25, 15-13) and fell short to the Hiram Terriers 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 25-18, 23-25, 8-15) on Saturday afternoon.

• The tri-match was hosted by Muskingum.
• Muskingum now stands 23-6 overall and 7-2 in the OAC.

• Prior to the Hiram match, Muskingum honored senior Miranda Plumly and senior Jordan Youngs.
• With the win against Heidelberg, the Muskies finished the regular season third in the league and clinched a home game for the upcoming OAC Tournament.
• Muskingum will host a first round OAC Tournament contest on Tuesday, October 30, at 7:00 p.m against Mount Union. The Muskies beat the Purple Raiders in Alliance on Tuesday, October 9, 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-21).

• In the first set, the Muskies and Student Princes fought neck and neck until Muskingum registered a three-point attack to take the lead 11-7. Heidelberg fought back with a 12-8 run to tie up the contest 19-19. The Muskies continued to persevere and recorded the final three points to take the set.
• The battle continued into the second set with neither team claiming more than a two-point lead early on. Muskingum recorded back-to-back points to put them ahead 19-16. Heidelberg was able to trim the deficit some, but a kill by sophomore Brooke Fatheree locked in the 25-23 victory for the Muskies.
• In the third set, Muskingum and Heidelberg battled side by side until the Student Princes took a 16-13 lead. The Muskies fought back, but were unable to stop Heidelberg's efforts. A kill by Amy Feczer notched the 26-24 win for the Student Princes.
• In the fourth set, Muskingum jumped out to an early lead of 12-9. The Student Princes answered back with a 6-4 run to tie up play 16-16. Muskingum fought hard to close the gap, but Heidelberg tallied a 9-6 surge to secure the set with a final score of 25-22.
• In the fifth and final set, Heidelberg advanced past the Muskies with a score of 6-3. After a Muskingum timeout, the tempo of the game began to change and it was obvious that the Muskies had taken control. The Muskies recorded the final point to claim the set.
• The Muskies were led by sophomore Brynn Guist who recorded a career-best 24 kills and a team-high hitting percentage of .328.
• Fatheree added 14 kills, 37 digs, and 17 points.
• Sophomore Erin Dickson directed the Muskie attack with 52 assists.
• The backline was anchored by sophomore Jessica Cottle who recorded 32 digs.
• As a team Muskingum logged 65 kills, 64 assists, and 135 digs.

• In set one, Hiram recorded four-points in a row to take the lead with a score of 10-7. The Muskies answered back with a 7-4 run to tie up play 14-14. The Muskies continued to battle and were able to secure the set with a final score of 25-23. 
• Hiram took control of set two early on with a score of 15-12. The Muskies fought to trim the deficit but the Terriers could not be halted. A kill by Lindsey Walker locked in the 25-20 victory for Hiram.
• In the third set, the Muskies came out hot and took an early lead of 14-9. The Terriers chipped away at the differential, but the Muskies recorded the final five points to take the set.
• In the fourth set, Hiram took a 10-7 lead over the Muskies. The Terriers registered a 7-6 run to increase their advantage. Muskingum fought to close the gap, but were unable to stop the Terriers. Hiram claimed the set with a final score of 25-23.
• In the fifth and final set, the Muskies recorded back-to-back points to advance past the Terriers with a score of 4-1. Hiram answered back with a six-point attack to take the lead 6-4. The Terriers continued to control the play and registered back-to-back points to notch the 15-8 win.
• Fatheree guided the Muskies with 17 kills, 12 digs, and 19.5 points.
• Guist added 13 kills.
• Dickson recorded a team-best 39 assists.
• Cottle secured the backline with 36 digs.
• As a team, the Muskies notched 51 kills, 49 assists, and 101 digs.