By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, Ohio---The No. 8 Owens Community College women's volleyball team suffered its first lost set in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) play, but bounced back to pick up a 25-14, 24-26, 25-20, 25-9 win over Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in the SHAC tonight.
In the first set, Macy Reigelsperger (Coldwater/Coldwater, Ohio) started what was a great match for the sophomore middle blocker. She produced five kills over seven attempts for a .714 hitting percentage to lead her team to a dominant first set win. As a team, Owens hit .321 in the first set with 10 kills and only one error.
Cincinnati State came out strong and controlled most of the second set. They held a 23-18 advantage before Owens rallied to force a 24-all tie. The visitors rallied, however, and won the next two points to win the set and even up the match.
In the third set, Owens scored the first six points and held a large advantage until a late Cincinnati State rally made it closer. Offensively, Owens struggled in the set by only hitting .097, but Erika Hartings (Coldwater/Coldwater, Ohio) kept things afloat with four kills and a .500 hitting percentage to help her team take a 2-1 lead.
Once again, Owens came out strong in the fourth set by taking a 6-1 lead. This time, though, they made quick work of Cincinnati State to close out the match.
Reigelsperger produced a season-high 16 kills, a .619 hitting percentage, nine digs and five blocks. She is averaging almost 12 kills per match in conference play while hitting over .300 in all four of those matches. She also has eight or more digs in each of the past five matches.
Hartings was no slouch herself as the sophomore outside hitter had 12 kills and only two errors for a .435 hitting percentage. She also added three solo blocks. In conference play, she is averaging just under 12 kills per match.
Another sophomore, Taylor Purcell (Bedford/Temperance, Mich.) had 11 kills and two blocks.
Christine Tylutki (Monroe/Monroe, Mich.) and Deanna Smith (Riverview/Riverview, Mich.) led the team in assists with 20 and 17, respectively.
Defensively, Brooke Gyori (Clay/Oregon, Ohio) led the way with 19 digs, while Tylutki and Ally Mikesell (St. Henry/St. Henry, Ohio) each added 11.
Reigelsperger's five blocks (three solo) led the team, although five others added at least one block. Annie Lindeman (Ottoville/Ottoville, Ohio) and Hartings each had two, while Purcell and Tylutki each had two.
Owens is now 11-3 overall and 4-0 in OCCAC play. They will have a quick turnaround as Columbus State Community College comes to town tomorrow at 12 p.m. The Cougars are the two-time defending OCCAC champions.