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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Action 3/12
Aislyn McQueen
3
Winner Muskingum MUSK 1-0,1-0 OAC
1
John Carroll JCU 0-1,0-1 OAC
Winner
Muskingum MUSK
1-0,1-0 OAC
3
Final
1
John Carroll JCU
0-1,0-1 OAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Muskingum MUSK 25 19 25 25 (3)
John Carroll JCU 23 25 18 11 (1)
3
Winner Muskingum MUSK 2-0,2-0 OAC
1
John Carroll JCU 0-2,0-2 OAC
Winner
Muskingum MUSK
2-0,2-0 OAC
3
Final
1
John Carroll JCU
0-2,0-2 OAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Muskingum MUSK 25 23 25 25 (3)
John Carroll JCU 19 25 21 13 (1)

Game Recap: Volleyball | | Joe Ginley '16, SID

Second Set Wins Highlights in a Season-Opening Defeat to Muskingum

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The 2021 volleyball season began with a defeat for John Carroll University Volleyball, but there were plenty of reasons for optimism.

The Blue Streaks lost to Muskingum University in both the opening contest 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-11) and the second match, 3-1 (19-25, 25-23, 21-25, 13-25). 

With the losses, the Blue Streaks dropped to 0-2 on the young campaign. 

"Muskingum is a strong team and that showed tonight," Head Coach Michele Benoit said. "I am excited about how we played a good portion of both matches."

Against a highly vaunted Muskingum team, the Blue Streaks started off strong. John Carroll trailed 10-7 in the early goings before knotting things up at 14-14. The Blue Streaks built modest leads of 17-14 and 20-18. But the Fightin' Muskies pushed back late, as their veterans helped to corral a victory, 25-23. 

In the second set, the Blue Streaks enjoyed a huge victory. For the first time since 2016, the Blue and Gold won a set against the Fightin' Muskies, a perennial OAC powerhouse. 

The Blue Streaks played excellently in all facets, rolling to a 25-19 victory in a triumph that will be a confidence-booster for a youthful JCU squad. 

Muskingum responded in force to the defeat. The Muskies earned a commanding 25-18 win in Set 3 to put JCU on the ropes, 2-1, in the best of five contest. 

The veteran presence of Muskingum's squad came to the fore in the fourth set. The visitors roared to a 25-11 win to capture the first contest. 

"It's a great learning experience for the whole team," Benoit said. "But certainly for our freshmen to cut their teeth on one of the top teams in the conference."

After a brief respite, JCU returned to the court for the second match. Despite a fierce fight, the Blue Streaks tasted defeat, 25-19.

But these Blue Streaks of Benoit were not going to allow Muskingum to walk away with an easy win. 

In a rousing second set, John Carroll roared to a 25-23 vanquishing of the Muskies. In a complete team effort, the Blue Streaks played like a seasoned contender, matching each one of Muskingum's jabs and kills. 
 
The Blue Streaks ran out of momentum down the stretch in the next couple of sets with a pair of losses. But the Blue and Gold deserve a heaping of credit for winning two sets against an OAC title contender. 

Benoit was pleased with the performance of many of her Blue Streaks. 

"We are going forward with some lessons that we can use to make us better each time we step on the court," said Benoit. "Cassi Calamunci, Jenn Follmer and Abby Kirk had good offensive outings and our defense had moments of strength being led by Anna Coughlin and Lexi MacDonald."

The Blue Streaks return to action on Tuesday vs. Mount Union at home. 
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