box score

A timely block by MaryEileen Dalton at the end of a five-game marathon enabled the John Carroll Blue Streaks to win their final home match of the 2007 season Friday night against the Quakers of Wilmington College. After a roller coaster style of a match, JCU escaped the upset big for their second OAC victory of the season, 30-17, 27-30, 30-18, 29-31, 17-15. click here to catch the entire match

In game one, John Carroll raced out to a 19-5 lead and never looked back. The Blue Streaks had a .469 hitting percentage in the opening game. Wilmington committed seven hitting errors that game for a .114 percent.

The Quakers were the quick starters in the second game. Strong service runs by Elizabeth Ayers and Katie Roush staked Wilmington to a 7-1 lead. The Blue Streaks rallied and held a lead as late as 26-22, but the visitors would score eight of the final nine points – thanks again to the serving of Ayers and Roush. The duo combined for four aces.

JCU returned to form in the third game. After having an early lead trimmed to 8-5, the Blue Streaks would win 18 of the next 27 points, capped by a pair of aces from Laura Isbell. John Carroll would roll to a 30-18 victory.

Game four would be a back and forth affair, with Wilmington prevailing, 31-29. Neither team enjoyed more than a three-point advantage. Roush came up huge for the Quakers with six kills and seven digs alone in game four.

Wilmington would jump out to a 6-2 lead in the final game. It was still 12-9 in favor of the Quakers when Dalton would win four consecutive points on serve (including an ace and back-to-back kills by #Kate Schafer#) to take a 13-12 lead.

From that point on, the two teams traded points until a Dalton block ended it all at 17-15.

Before the game started, the John Carroll volleyball team recognized their parents and family for all the support during the season. Then the team celebrated senior night, honoring lone senior Melissa Drumsta. She came through with a solid night (12 kills, .250 hitting percentage).

JCU (11-15, 2-5 OAC) heads on the road for the team's final OAC competiton first meeting Baldwin-Wallace (10/23/07) and then down to Marietta (10/26/07).