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In an attempt to measure up to nationally ranked Ohio Northern University, the John Carroll volleyball learned the gap may be more narrow than before, but there is still work left to be done to close the distance.
On their home court in the conference opener, the Blue Streaks suffered a three-game loss to the Polar Bears (18-25, 11-25, 24-26).
Game one started with an ONU point, but the Blue Streaks quickly got on the board. A kill by JCU freshman Kerry Fox brought Carroll within two points (3-5). But a three point rally sparked by Sports Imports/AVCA Division III National Volleyball Player of the Week ONU junior Liz Schnelle, allowed JCU to fall behind early (3-8). The gap remained throughout game one and the Polar Bears managed to take a 25-18 win.
Sophomore Meredith McDiarmid started the Blue Streaks off in game two with three back-to-back points, two of which were aces. However, the Polar Bears broke away from a 9-9 tie by scoring 16 of the final 18 points of the game to win handily.
The Blue Streaks fell behind early in game three but managed to chase down the Polar Bea.In the final points of the game, John Carroll pushed forward with two five-point rallies. Senior Colleen Cavanagh started the first rally with a kill from the middle followed up by two kills from McDiarmid.
MaryEileen Dalton kept up the momentum for the second rally with her own attack in the middle. Another slam by Dalton brought the game to a tie at 23-23, and then Fox gave JCU a 24-23 lead.
Ohio Northern caught its breath, however, and sealed the match by winning the final three points.
McDiarmid led the Blue Streaks in kills with eight and managed 23 assists, 11 digs and three aces. Teammates Kristen Kidd, Dalton and Fox each delivered seven kills, Fox having the best attack percentage (.333).
On the Polar Bear's side, Schnelle popped 15 kills with only one error in 24 attempts. Samantha Markham tallied eight kills and setter Katie Weininger finished with 36 assists and five kills.
