Box Score

Coming in to an Ohio Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinal round match-up as a heavy underdog, John Carroll came within two points of extended its season for another few days.

In a five-game thriller against third-seeded Muskingum College, the sixth seeded Blue Streaks could not hold off the host school in falling 25-23, 25-27, 14-25, 25-21, 15-13.

Muskingum moves on to the semifinal round and improves to 23-5 with the win, while John Carroll ends its 2008 campaign with a record of 18-12.

After dropping the first game, John Carroll rallied late in game two to pull off the 27-25 triumph. The Blue Streaks rode that momentum in game three, running out to an early 11-3 lead and rolling from there for an 11-point win.

The home-standing Muskies got back into the match, and held a 23-13 lead before holding off a late rally by the Blue Streaks. After JCU closed to within 23-21, Muskingum won the final two points to force a fifth game.

John Carroll started out strong in the final set by winning the first four points, but Muskingum roared back by winning ten of the next 13 points. John Carroll would tie the match at 12-12, but the Muskies won the crucial next two points.

The Blue Streaks got a side out and served with a chance to tie the match back up, but the Muskies closed out the match with a kill.

Junior Laura Isbell led JCU with 15 kills, while senior Meagan Gambone tallied 13 and freshman Kristen Kidd amassed 11 successful attacks. Senior Katie Hastings and junior Mary Eileen Dalton accounted five of John Carroll's six team blocks.