Box Score The term "litmus test" has taken on an all new meaning when placed in a sporting context.  In its original construct, a litmus test was any experiemnt which produced a decisive result by measuring a single indicator.
 
In the sports world, a litmus test is a situation which measures the value of a team based on a single indicator.
 
The John Carroll volleyball litmus this evening would be Denison University, a team that had swept the Blue Streaks in both 2012 and 2013. The tables were effectively turned, as John Carroll survived its own erratic play to down the Big Red in four games, 25-10, 23-25, 25-8 and 25-21.
 
The Blue Streaks entered tonight's contest with a stellar 6-1 record on the season. The Streaks were an impressive 4-0 last weekend after taking home the title from the 16th Annual Marcia French Invitational, not dropping a single set while passing another one of its litmus tests in dispatching long-time nemesis Hiram.
 
The Blue Streaks picked up right where they left off over the weekend taking the game right to Denison by jumping out to an early 10-3 lead in the opening set, powered by a dominant performances at the net by Leah Switalski, Julianne McGervey, Sarah Orlandi and Alexa Webber, whose kill midway through the frame gave JCU a 16-5 lead.  The Blue Streaks' impressive 17 kills and .405 hitting percentage were the main reason for the early success.
 
Switching sides seemed to be the Blue Streak kryptonite, as game two was a different story. Denison jumped out to a 5-1 lead, and though the Blue Streaks were able to close to within a single point at 23-22, the visitors held on for the win. John Carroll sustained eight errors in the second game.
 
The Blue Streaks returned to their game one form in the third game, asserting their dominance from the service line Katie Cosker (pictured, left). Cosker had three aces in game three as part of an 11-0 run that closed out the frame.
 
"Our hard work and perseverance helped us comeback strong in game three," said Cokser afterward. "We knew we would be able to win if we remained committed to the things that worked during the first game."
 
The Blue Streaks produced their sharpest game of the night as they recorded 13 kills and no errors on 23 attempts.
 
Game four was a hard-fought battle on both sides of the net, as neither team was able to pull away. The game was tied as late as 18-18 before the Blue Streaks made a 7-3 run to finish the match.
 
Switalski and McGervey each had 15 kills to lead the offense, with Kit O'Shaughnessy contributing 42 assists, Sara Kaminski had 22 digs while Cosker added 18 digs and a team-best five aces. Switalski and Orlandi combined for five blocks as John Carroll improved to 7-1.
 
Denison, which slipped to 2-4, was paced by 20 digs from Emily Marguerite, while Rachele Lock led the offense with nine kills.
 
The Blue Streaks look to continue their success as they return to the DeCarlo Varsity Center on September 12 to play against the College of Mount St. Joseph at 7:30 pm as part of the John Carroll Invitational.