Pepper Pike, OH--The Ursuline College volleyball team fell to Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) leader Ashland University, 3-0, on Friday.
The Eagles claimed the match by set scores of 25-23, 25-9 and 25-16.
The Arrows (2-19, 0-9 G-MAC) put up a strong fight in the opening set, challenging the Eagles (16-2, 11-0 G-MAC), who remain undefeated in conference play.
Ashland took an early 10-6 lead before Ursuline responded with a 7-1 run to gain momentum. The Eagles answered with a 9-2 surge to build a 22-15 advantage. Refusing to back down, the Arrows mounted another rally, scoring seven of the next eight points to cut the deficit to 23-22. However, Ashland held on to take the opening set, 25-23.
The Eagles carried that momentum into the second set, limiting Ursuline to just nine points in a 25-9 victory. Although the Arrows managed to interrupt Ashland's scoring runs, they were unable to gain control of the set.
Ursuline showed renewed energy in the third set, keeping the score close at 10-8 early. Ashland responded with an 8-3 run before closing out the match with a 7-5 stretch to secure the 25-16 win.
Offensively, Ashland held a 59-28 advantage in kills. The Arrows recorded 19 attack errors compared to 18 for the Eagles. Ashland also led at the service line with nine aces to Ursuline's two and held a 7-4 edge in blocks.
Skye Peairson led Ursuline with six points, while Ellie Zoeckler added five. Ariella Keys contributed three block assists and one solo block. Sophia Serrano paced the Arrows with 11 assists, and Zoeckler anchored the defense with 10 digs.
Up next: Ursuline returns to action Saturday, hosting Tiffin University in G-MAC play at 2 p.m. in Pepper Pike, Ohio.
