The volleyball team played four matches in the past two weeks, splitting them with two wins and two losses.

Ashland lost two matches at home against Northwood and Hillsdale, but went on the road to win its matches against Walsh and Malone. These results leave AU in sixth place in the conference (8-5, 18-6 overall) with five matches left at home to close out the regular season.

Ashland played at home on Oct. 19 against Northwood, losing 3-2. The Eagles controlled the match at the start, but Northwood battled back for a close victory.

Ashland won the first set 24-26, battling back and forth before taking the set on a Northwood attack error. Ashland then took the second set, 25-20.

After losing the third set 23-25, Ashland looked to close out the fourth set and the match.

Up 23-18, the Eagles appeared to have the set completely under control. However, the Timberwolves broke off a great rally, scoring eight of the next nine points on the way to winning the set 25-23.

Tied up going into the fifth set, it appeared Ashland would be able to rebound and win the match. Ashland led the match 6-3 early, with the lead going back and forth all set.

Tied up at 14-14, senior Brittany Snider recorded a kill, putting Ashland at match point before the Timberwolves scored the next three points to take the set and match.

Snider led everyone on both teams with 29 kills to go along with three assists, seven digs, a block solo and a block assist. Fellow senior Crystal Elliott had a double double with 48 assists and 12 kills, along with nine digs.

Ashland played another match the following day against Hillsdale, which they lost in straight sets, 22-25, 23-25, 21-25.

The first set began with a 7-0 Hillsdale run which helped to carry the Chargers through to the first set win.

The second set was all Hillsdale. Despite a hard rally from the Eagles, the Chargers kept the lead they established, winning the second set by two.

The third set was hard-fought, with 10 ties. However, Hillsdale was able to break away from the Eagles and win the match.

The Eagles were led by Snider with 14 kills and by junior Kate Eckels and junior Susie Jonas with seven each. Junior Marci Zegarac had 16 digs and junior Megan Rohlfs had 10 digs.

Ashland went on the road to Walsh Friday, sweeping the Cavaliers 3-0 (25-20, 25-12, 25-23) behind the balanced Eagles attack.

Sophomore Maureen Johnson led the match with 12 kills, followed by Jonas and Snider with seven and six kills respectively. Snider also had 18 digs.

The Eagles continued the hot streak the next day on the road again against Malone, sweeping them 25-18, 25-21, 25-23.

Snider racked up 14 kills and Eckels and freshman Shannon Murdock added seven kills each. Ashland took advantage of Malone’s 21 errors en route to winning the match.

Jonas was named the GLIAC South Player of the Week for her performances against Walsh and Malone. She had a .429 hitting percentage, 13 kills, two aces, six digs, four block assists and one block solo in the two wins.

The Eagles hosted Lake Erie yesterday in a match that happened after press time. The match was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was postponed due to unsafe travelling conditions.

Ashland will play two more home matches this weekend against Tiffin and Ohio Dominican. The Dragons come to town 7 p.m. Friday while the Panthers come knocking on the door 2 p.m. Saturday.