Volleyball earns split in Muskingum Invitational

The Muskingum Volleyball team finished 1-1 on day one of the Muskingum Invitational. The Muskies defeated Wittenberg in a five-set thriller, and dropped a four-set contest to twelfth-ranked Juniata.

Game 1
The Basics
• Records: Muskingum (11-7), Wittenberg (13-5)
• Location: Anne C. Steele Center
• Attendance: 75

How it Happened
• Wittenberg got out to a hot start early in set one, leading the Muskies 10-5. However, Muskingum went on an 11-5 run to capture the lead late in the first frame.
• Muskingum eventually closed out the Tigers in set one, 25-22.
• Muskingum used their set one momentum to capture a 10-6 lead early in the second frame. However, Wittenberg answered back with four straight points to even the score at 10.
• Both teams went back-and-fourth until the score was knotted at 17 all. Wittenberg proceeded to go on an 8-2 run and closed out the second set, 25-19.
• Set three saw both teams battle for momentum throughout the entire frame. Muskingum led by as many as five points late, but Wittenberg answered back to even the score at 23 all.
• Using clutch plays down the stretch, Muskingum was able to edge out the Tigers in a thrilling third frame, 31-29.
• In set four, Wittenberg got out to a quick 9-2 lead. Muskingum was able to fight back to within three, but it wasn't enough as the Tigers took the frame 25-16, pushing the match to a winner-takes-all fifth set.
• Both teams played neck-and-neck early in the final frame, but the Muskies eventually settled in and cruised to a 15-8 victory.

Inside the Numbers
• Leading the Muskies was senior Brooke Bigrigg with 13 kills and 13 digs.
• Junior Emma Dunham hammered 12 kills and three blocks, while sophomore Lexie Huck chipped in 10 kills.
• Senior Erin Dickson dished out a game-high 32 assists and also tallied seven kills.
• Junior Emma Conrad notched 13 assists, and freshman Kylie DeLuca recorded a team-high 18 digs.
• Wittenberg was led by Tyler Linkhart with 15 kills.
• Muskingum totaled 54 kills, 49 assists, 92 digs, and seven services aces.
• Wittenberg tallied 56 kills, 52 assists, 98 digs, and 11 service aces.

Game 2
The Basics
• Records: Muskingum (11-8), Juniata (15-1)
• Location: Anne C. Steele Center
• Attendance: 75

How it Happened
• Set one saw both teams play neck-and-neck the entire frame. The score was eventually knotted at 20 apiece before Juniata closed on a 5-2 run, winning the set 25-22.
• The Muskies got out to a hot start in set two, but Juniata was able to claw back and even the score at 15 all. Aided by clutch plays down the stretch, the Muskies won set two 25-21 and evened the match at one set apiece.
• Riding the momentum from their set two win, Muskingum stormed out to a 6-1 lead early on. However, Juniata was able to settle in and never looked back, outscoring the Muskies 24-9 the rest of the way, and eventually winning the set 25-15.
• In set four, Juniata opened with a 9-1 run and used their momentum to claim the set 25-17, winning the match 3-1.

Inside the Numbers
• Leading the Muskies was senior Brooke Bigrigg with nine kills, and sophomore Reagan Flood with seven kills.
• Junior Emma Dunham tallied five kills, while sophomore-duo Lexie Huck and Khloe Taylor also added five kills each.
• Senior Erin Dickson notch 24 assists and also recorded two service aces.
• Freshman Kylie DeLuca totaled a team-high 20 digs.
• Leading Juniata was Kennedy Christy with 15 kills.
• Muskingum recorded 33 kills, 30 assists, 78 digs, and five service aces.
• Juniata tallied 66 kills, 58 assists, 105 digs, and seven service aces.

Up Next
• The Muskies will be back in action on Wednesday, October 13 for an OAC matchup with Mount Union. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in the Anne C. Steele Center.