After the big win against Indianapolis last week, the women’s volleyball team blew away Ohio Dominican (2-6, 0-6 GLIAC) and took care of business against the Dragons of Tiffin. Ashland dismissed both ODU (Sept. 24) as well as Tiffin (Sept. 25) in straight sets.

ODU

It was birthday night for 6’0″ junior outside hitter Anesia Benton and it was clear to all in Kates Gymnasium that she was feeling it. Every time Benton leapt into the air and attacked the ball, spectators knew exactly what was going to happen. The game plan for AU seemed to be getting the ball to Benton and Brittany Snider and watching the show. Three sets later, it was over, 25-22, 25-19, 25-12.

The Eagles never trailed at any point against ODU thanks to the offensive fire power of Benton accompanied by Snider. Benton hit .533 for the match, converting on 10 kills out of 15 attempts while only committing two errors. Snider led both teams with 16 kills, nine of which came in the first set. Snider ended with a hitting percentage of .279.

ODU head coach Sandy Rowley burned through timeouts all night but to no avail. There was no slowing down the Eagle attack.

The Eagles continued dominating in the second set, offensively putting up 25 quick points while holding ODU under 20. ODU apparently emptied the tank in the second set, only managing 12 points in the final set. Defensively, the Eagles held the Panthers to a negative hitting percentage (-.089) in the third set.

Crystal Elliott contributed a match-high 42 assists while junior libero Arian Martin added 19 digs.

Tiffin

In the final match of the Eagle home stand, AU (8-4, 4-3 GLIAC) made short work of the Dragons (7-5, 4-3 GLIAC).

The Eagles played a very complete game, mixing solid attacks with timely defense. Freshman Kate Eckels had 10 kills in 31 attempts, only committing two errors. Snider continued her stellar season by earning a match-high 20 kills and a hitting percentage of .269. As a team, AU hit .258 while holding Tiffin to .150 for the match.

The first set proved to be highly competitive as neither team could stretch a lead until Ashland pulled away late, taking the first set, 25-20.

Ashland took the momentum into the second set, starting off strong. Tiffin fought their way back to within one point late but couldn’t even the score, dropping the second set, 25-20.

Early attacking errors slowed the Eagles down in the beginning of the third set but AU recovered late, tying the set at 18-18. AU never trailed after that point, winning the final set, 25-23, after a late Tiffin rally.

Ashland now sits in third place in the GLIAC South division.

Next on the schedule for the ladies is a trip to Lake Erie this Thursday at 7 p.m. Lake Erie is 3-10 overall, 0-7 GLIAC. The Storm have not won a single set in their last eight matches.