By Chris Schmidbauer, Sports Information Director
Toledo, OH -- After two straight set sweeps in OCCAC play this past week, Owens Volleyball learned Tuesday that that are still sitting at #2 in the latest Tachikara NJCAA Division III poll. The Express have been #2 in the poll for the last four weeks, trailing Central Lakes out of Minnesota. Fellow OCCAC member, Columbus State, sits at #3 in the polls followed by Eastfield and Jamestown at #4 and #5 respectively.
Last week the Express played Sinclair and Clark State. Owens matched up with Sinclair last Wednesday, and they won in straight sets 3-0. The game scores were 25-20, 25-18, and 26-24. Michaela Eisenhauer continued her torrid stretch of play with 12 kills in the match. She also had five digs and one service ace. Kara Evers would finish with nine kills as well on the attack. Summer Sweeting had 20 assists and Kara Schafer had 16 as well in the match against the Tartan Pride. Kiah Wendel had a baker's dozen in regards to digs, and Kennedy Ames finished with 12 digs.
On Friday, Owens matched up with Clark State in another road contest. The Express were dominant in their 3-0 win. They won the sets 25-7, 25-16 and 25-12. Eisenhauer led the Express with seven kills in the match while Evers and Ames each had six kills. Eisenhauer also had a team high 12 digs. Freshman, Shyah Wheeler, would also finish with six kills as well. Summer Sweeting was an assist machine with 25 on the night, while Kara Schafer reached double digits in assists with 13. Sweeting and Ames each also had two service aces a piece in the match against the Eagles.
Owens finished the week at 22-3 overall on the season, and they remain undefeated in OCCAC play at 8-0. Columbus State is currently a half game behind Owens in the standings but Owens has three games in hand on the conference slate.
The Express have another busy week on the road again this week. Tomorrow, Owens will play a midweek OCCAC match against Lorain County. Owens won the first matchup between these two teams, 3-0, back on August 29. The Commodores are currently 12-6 overall and 4-3 in the conference. Then, Owens will travel to North Carolina for the weekend for Valley Invitational at Catawba Valley. The Express will play five matches over the course of the weekend.
Owens will return home in a little over a week, when they play Clark State on Friday October 12.