By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Cleveland, Ohio---The No. 16 Owens Community College women's volleyball team survived a battle from Cuyahoga Community College on the road tonight to capture a 25-15, 25-15, 23-25, 25-20 win.
After breezing through the first two sets, Owens faced a Cuyahoga team that wouldn't quit. The Challengers led 23-21 in the third set before Owens tied it. Cuyahoga answered back with two straight to capture the set.
In the fourth set, it was back-and-forth. At one point, it was tied at 11 before Owens pushed their lead to 16-12, which was the first time either team led by more than two points since the beginning of the third set. Owens then eventually pulled away to win the match.
Erika Hartings (Coldwater/Coldwater, Ohio) and Macy Reigelsperger (Coldwater/Coldwater, Ohio) led the team in kills with 15 and 13, respectively, while Ally Mikesell (St. Henry/St. Henry, Ohio) had seven and Stephanie Kipp (Ida/Ida, Mich.) had six.
Deanna Smith (Riverview/Riverview, Mich.) and Jessica Cooper (Brandywine/Niles, Mich.) led the team in assists with 23 and 22, respectively. Mikesell had a team-high two aces.
Ciarra Wirick (Benjamin Logan/West Liberty, Ohio) had a team-high 15 digs, while Cooper chipped in 10. Mikesell and Aricka LaVoy (Eastwood/Pemberville, Ohio) each had eight of their own.
Kipp had a team-high five blocks. Mikesell and Taylor Purcell (Bedford/Temperance, Mich.) each added four, and Reigelsperger had three.
Owens is now 25-8 overall and 10-1 in OCCAC play. They have now won seven straight and 11 of their past 12 matches heading into this weekend's road action at the Rock Valley Invitational. The team will play twice each on Friday and Saturday.