LIMA, Ohio – The Indiana Tech women's volleyball team continued its dominant play with their fifth consecutive win, taking down the University of Northwestern Ohio 3-1 (25-21, 26-24, 17-25, 25-22), Wednesday evening at Racer Gymnasium.
In the opening set, Tech took advantage of various opportunities to break the back-and-forth game and take a sizable lead at 17-9. The Racers tried to push back, but Tech held a 19-16 lead late in the set. Three straight offensive kills from the hosts put to rest any further comebacks from their opponents, after UNOH pushed the set to 22-21, to give the Warriors the opening frame victory.
Both teams jumped on short bursts and streaks early in the second set before knotting things up at 10-10. From that point, both squads swapped shares of the lead up until the Warriors would take a 21-18 lead as the set progressed. Tied at 24-24, a pair of kills from
Amaya Anderson and
Jordan Aylward would set the 26-24 set win, putting Tech up 2-0.
The Racers strove to make a statement in the third set, going on an 11-1 run, which propelled them to hold a lead that would not dissolve the remainder of the set. The Orange and Black attempted to chip away at the host's lead, cutting it down to just five, 19-14, but ultimately could not overcome a suddenly hot Racers team.
With a chance to take their second consecutive conference victory in the conclusion of set four, the Warriors were able to put together a 10-2 run to eventually put them ahead 14-3 early. UNOH worked to diminish Tech's lead, coming within two points at 17-1. Sitting on match point at 24-17, the Racers made the end of the match interesting thanks to a late 5-0 run that put them down just 24-22.
Allison Cole would secure the final advantage for the Warriors with a kill, guaranteeing the 3-1 match victory.
Madeline MacDonald led all performers with 32 digs, while
Madison Park recorded 31 assists.
Olivia Niekamp led the Warriors with 14 kills and
Havilyn Cummings registered a match-high 7 blocks while the duo hit .281 and .286, respectively.
The Orange and Black (10-2, 2-0 WHAC) will be back in action Friday as they continue their road slate with a contest at Cornerstone University. Firsts serve is set for 7 p.m. at Mol Arena.
