If there is one way that the Ashland University volleyball team wants to finish the season, it’s on a winning note.

So far so good. 

The Eagles have won seven matches in a row and remain atop of the GLIAC South division standings. The win streak is the Eagles’ longest of the season. 

It hasn’t been one particular player that has stood out in leading the Eagles on this win streak. Instead, it has been a different player from a different area of the floor each night that has stepped up.

Ashland’s record now stands at 21-6, 13-3 in conference. If the season were to end today, the Eagles would be the second-seed in the GLIAC playoffs behind nationally ranked Grand Valley State (24-3, 15-1). 

The last three wins for AU have all come on the road against Ohio opponents.

November 5^th at Lake Erie 25-22, 25-11, 25-16

The Eagles handled the Lake Erie Storm with ease in a three-set sweep last Tuesday. 

Ashland sported a balanced offensive attack with middle blockers Maureen Johnson and Sam Zuber accounting for eight points each and outside hitter Alli Cudworth adding 12 more points including five service aces. 

Setter Shelly DeHenning assisted on 24 of the teams 32 kills. 

The Storm (1-24, 1-15) gave the Eagles the most trouble in the first set of the match, but Ashland held together and won five of the last seven points after the set was tied at 20. 

Ashland had a seven point run in the second set and an eight point run in the third set to close out the match.

November 8^th at Tiffin 25-19, 24-26, 16-25, 26-24, 15-9

The Tiffin Dragons gave Ashland a much more difficult test and forced a five-set match that Ashland would ultimately win.

Tiffin (12-13, 3-13) would win the second and third sets after AU won the first to force Ashland to win the final two sets to win the match. AU would need an extra point in the fourth set to win before winning by six in the final set.

Ashland was led offensively by Alli Cudworth who had 25 kills and eight service aces. Casey Clark and Sam Zuber added 10 kills each as well.

Ashland’s team kill percentage in the match was .153, far below their season average of .220. 

November 9^th at Ohio Dominican 25-22, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21

Ashland’s final match of the weekend ended in a four-set 3-1 victory for the Eagles. The Eagles started the match strong taking the first two sets. Ohio Dominican (12-16, 6-10) came back to win the third set 25-21, only to drop the final set by the same score.

Shelly DeHenning had another strong night passing, assisting on 47 of AU’s 56 kills. Alli Cudworth had 22 kills and Casey Clark added 12 more. 

Ashland will finish the season with matchups next weekend at Wayne State on Nov. 15and at Findlay on Nov. 16. The GLIAC playoffs schedule is to be determined.