Volleyball fights for two more wins against Trine (Ind.) and Carnegie Mellon to remain undefeated

By: Joseph Clarkson

ADA — The Ohio Northern volleyball team earned a pair of thrilling five-set victories on the final day of the 33rd Annual ONU Invitational, Saturday at the ONU Sports Center.

The Polar Bears (4-0) defeated Trine (Ind.) during the first match of the day 25-22, 17-25, 29-31, 25-21, 18-16. Against Carnegie Mellon (1-2), ONU rallied from behind to defeat the Tartans 15-25, 24-26, 25-22, 25-17, 15-8.

Sophomores Kristen Davidson and Cenzie Yoder were named to the ONU Invitational All-Tournament Team.

"We made a lot of mistakes, which you can expect from a young team," head coach Kate Witte said. "However, we showed heart today and never gave up, and I'm proud of that."

Against the Tartans, sophomore Cenzie Yoder led the way for the Polar Bears with a match-high 19 kills on a .417 clip. Yoder also recorded three aces and four blocks.

Sophomore Julia Fuerst contributed 11 kills on a .455 clip and led the team with six blocks. Sophomore Hannah Livengood notched a match-high four aces.

Senna Parsa paced the Tartans with 16 kills and 10 digs.

After falling in the first two sets, ONU used two service runs to take a 7-2 advantage in the third set.

The Polar Bears pulled ahead 17-11 behind kills from Yoder, sophomore Jayce Born and junior Ellen Grenert.

Aces by Yoder, two more ONU kills and an CMU attacking error gave the third set to the Polar Bears.

After winning the fourth set, ONU used Tartan mistakes and a Fuerst kill to take a 9-5 lead in the final set.

Yoder had two kills down the stretch to ensure the victory for the Polar Bears.

During the day's first match against Trine, Davidson led the team with 15 kills. Grenert and Fuerst both finished with 10 kills.

Sophomore Jeni Kmic recorded a match-high 28 digs. Volosin dished out 41 assists, while adding 12 digs.

Betsy Irwin led the way for Trine (0-3) with a match-high 18 kills. Sarah Rasekin dished out 53 assists.

The Polar Bears got off to a quick start, leading 6-2 behind a Livengood service run.

Davidson and Born both notched kills down the stretch to win the first set for ONU.

The Polar Bears were able to maintain the Thunder throughout the fourth set; a Grenert kill gave the set to the Polar Bears.

In the final set, the Polar Bears led 14-11. Trine responded with two kills from Irwin and an ace from Kaci Heeter.

With the Thunder leading 16-15, Davidson notched a kill. Two Trine attack errors gave the set and the match to the Polar Bears.

"We're definitely a work in progress," Witte said. "We need to get better each week, at each practice."

The Polar Bears return to action next weekend when they travel to St. Louis to compete in the Washington (Mo.) National Invitational.