Mount Union MTU 19-6,5-3 OAC

John Carroll JCU 18-7,5-3 OAC

Mount Union MTU

19-6,5-3 OAC

Final

Oct. 26, 2022

John Carroll JCU

18-7,5-3 OAC

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	4	5	F
Mount Union MTU	25	25	23	18	13	(2)
John Carroll JCU	13	14	25	25	15	(3)

Summary
Box Score

Gabby Hougan

JCU's resilient attitude won the day in a fierce OAC match.

Game Recap: Volleyball | 10/26/2022 10:43:00 PM | Dylan Feltovich, Staff Writer

Volleyball Roars Back to Defeat Mount Union in Another Home Thriller

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS — After being down 2-0, John Carroll Volleyball fought back.

After getting behind early against Ohio Athletic Conference rival Mount Union, the Blue Streaks were the victors of the next three sets to secure a massive 3-2 victory.

With the win, the Blue Streaks clinch a spot in the upcoming OAC Tournament.

Graduate student Cassi Calamunci led the late comeback with 18 kills on the night, while junior Jennifer Follmer added 10 kills to the effort.

John Carroll's offense could not find their rhythm in the first two sets, as the Purple Raiders dominated in the opening two sets, 25-13 and 25-14.

Mount Union totaled more kills (27-18) and committed fewer errors (5-16) than the Blue Streaks in the first two sets.

With their backs to the wall, JCU flipped the script early in the third set to take a 12-4 lead over the Purple Raiders. Three service aces from juniors Maddie Maziari and Payton Miozzi played a significant role. Mount Union would close the gap late in the set, evening things up at 23-23. But John Carroll was able to edge them out, 25-23, by winning the final two points.

"We switched from our left sides going in with our setters to our middles going with our setters in the third set," said Head Coach Michele Benoit on the changes made in the third set. "I'm not sure if it was a strategic change, but I wanted Abby [Kirk] to serve, because she was having a very good match anyway. The adjustments between the two sophomores – Steph Conley and Marissa Lynch – because they each have strengths. When it was working, I looked at Coach [Brooke] Turner and asked if we should keep it the same, and she said, 'I'm a big believer in keeping it if you win!' So we did and we got the win."

The momentum from the rally in set three carried on into the rest of the match, with John Carroll finally taking control of the game.

The Blue Streaks dominated the fourth set, 25-18. John Carroll started to play more effective defense and utilized a different tactic on offense to get the Purple Raiders out of sync.

"We figured out that getting them out of system makes it much easier to play against [Mount Union]," said Benoit. "When we are serving more aggressively and mixing up our shots, it makes it easier to play defense against a good offensive team like Mount Union."

The final fifth set was a thriller. The Blue Streaks and Purple Raiders traded jabs. It was truly a back-and-forth set, as neither team acquired a lead of more than a point. That is, until the final stretch.

Mount Union owned a 13-12 lead before the Blue Streaks showcased that killer instinct the team has begun to display this season. A Cassi Calumunci kill evened things at 13-13, an Ally Bartolone service ace took the lead at 14-13, and a block by Jessica Liddle and Steph Conley provided the game-winning point for the 15-13 conquest.

The team's resiliency was on full

"Every team in the OAC is resilient to a certain degree, but you need to find a weakness," said Benoit. "Our team has proven me wrong several times this season, and I keep saying, 'I can't be anymore proud of you all,' but tonight, I can't even talk about it without getting emotional. They were ready to prove me wrong because we were hard on them after the losses. But once they settle in and get their composure back, they're a resilient team."

Benoit's Blue Streaks will look to close out the season strong here. Two more regular-season matches are ahead on Saturday, as JCU will host Muskingum at 12 pm and Kenyon at 4 pm (with a match between Kenyon and Muskingum sandwiched in between).

With the team's strong leadership and tight chemistry, the rest of the season could be very memorable.

"We just need to keep doing our thing. We all know that we're capable of being a very good team. We've beaten some of the better teams in the conference and played well against Otterbein. I use the phrase a lot, but we need to stay out of our own way. We need to have the confidence but not be cocky. When you make an error, you rebound. This team is fun and funny, they love each other. These are lifelong memories being formed."

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