No. 21 Volleyball posts fourth consecutive sweep with 3-0 victory over Wilmington

By Caleb Scott

ADA — The No. 21-ranked Ohio Northern volleyball team completed its fourth consecutive sweep on Tuesday evening as it defeated Wilmington 3-0 at Fred Raizk Arena.

The Polar Bears improve to 22-4 overall and 5-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while the Quakers fall to 4-18, 0-6.

Northern was led offensively by sophomore Chelsea Huppert (Bremen, Ind.) and freshman Christen Ware (Jackson Center) as each posted a game-high eight kills. 

Sophomore Sydney Bapst (Grove City) chipped in seven kills, while freshman Katie Wade (Battle Creek, Mich./Harper Creek) posted a game-high 30 assists.

Senior Megan Nieszala (Lambertville, Mich./St. Marys Catholic Central) posted a game-high 13 digs, while sophomore McKenna Hostetler (Plain City/Alder) added 11 digs.

After jumping out to a 14-5 lead in the first set, Northern used a 6-0 run led by back-to-back service aces by Hostetler to extend the lead to 20-5.

With a 24-8 lead in the first set, Ware sealed the victory with a kill.

Back-to-back-to-back kills from Ware helped ONU open a 6-0 lead in the second set.

Northern would go on to win the second set 25-9.

After falling behind in the third set, Wilmington was able to close the Polar Bear lead to 18-12 late in the final set.

Two defensive miscues for WC and back-to-back kills from Huppert allowed ONU to regain a 9-point lead.

From there Northern would close the contest out and claim the third set 25-16.

Northern hit a blistering .353 as a team during the contest.

The Polar Bears return to the court on Saturday afternoon at 4 pm as they welcome Muskingum to the ONU Sports Center on Senior Day.