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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Maddie Maziarz makes the block to win set two vs. Otterbein
Jose Figueroa
Maddie Maziarz made some clutch plays, including the winning block in set two.
3
Winner Otterbein OTT 17-7,6-0 OAC
1
John Carroll JCU 14-8,3-3 OAC
Winner
Otterbein OTT
17-7,6-0 OAC
3
Final
1
John Carroll JCU
14-8,3-3 OAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Otterbein OTT 25 29 27 25 (3)
John Carroll JCU 17 31 25 19 (1)

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

Volleyball Comes Up Short in OAC Game of the Week vs. Otterbein

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – For much of the match, the Ohio Athletic Conference Game of the Week lived up to the billing.

But despite a great atmosphere in the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center and some fantastic stretches of play, John Carroll Volleyball could not upset the reigning OAC Champs.

The Blue Streaks surrendered a 3-1 defeat to the Cardinals at home on Wednesday, falling to 14-8 overall and 3-3 in conference play.

The rematch of last year's OAC Tournament Championship opened with an even start. The score stood deadlocked early on at nine-nine, but then the Cardinals ripped off a 5-point run. John Carroll rebounded and even managed to sneak back ahead, 16-15, riding smart plays by Kendra Dziubinski. But then the Cardinals went on a back-breaking 9-point run, clinching the opener with a 25-17 score. 

In identical fashion to the first set, the second began with a nine-all tie. Again, the Cardinals looked strong as the set elapsed, firing to a 16-11 advantage. Later leading 21-18, the Cardinals threatened to take full control again. A 6-1 run by JCU changed that, moving the hosts ahead to 24-22. JCU looked to take home the set, but a tough call gave Cardinals new life, as the visitors strode ahead, 25-24. Crazy volleyball ensued.

In a seesaw end to set two, the momentum swung wildly like a pendulum at a rock concert. With JCU out of substitutions, the players on the court had to work overtime to get it done, as the veterans across from them pushed hard. Long rallies and tense moments abounded, as JCU took Otterbein to the brink at 26-25, 28-27, and 29-28. Each time, Otterbein rallied, but a pair of service errors hurt the visitors. 

With the chance to win the set, Natalie Glowe toed the service line. Otterbein fired an attack over, but Maddie Maziarz got her hands up on a block. She then scrambled to get back to set it for Hailey Williams, who tabbed it over. Otterbein responded by targeting Maziarz again, but the veteran stepped up and provided the set-clinching block alongside Jessica Liddle for an incredible 31-29 victory. It was Maziarz's first career block, and it came at the perfect time. 

Yet again in set three, the play opened evenly, once more at 9-9. The teams traded jabs, with JCU delivering a strong 6-2 run to march ahead to 20-16. But the lead slowly evaporated to 23-23, though JCU had a chance to complete the set, as an Otterbein service error granted JCU a 24-23 lead. But the Cardinals showed their veteran presence, sliding by with a 4-1 run to sneak past the hosts, 27-25.

John Carroll's offense started hot in the fourth set, firing ahead 5-1. But Otterbein responded with an 8-2 rally, and never again trailed. Jennifer Follmer and Mary Kate Sheehan levied some nice kills, but the Blue Streaks couldn't string more than two points together. And so, the Cardinals overcame the Blue Streaks in the fourth and final set, 25-19.

Bright spots abounded, as the second and third sets saw very strong play by the Blue Streaks. A couple bounces in set three may have painted a different picture for JCU. The Blue & Gold certainly looked even against a reigning conference juggernaut for long stretches of time.

Individually, Jennifer Follmer steered the offense with 13 kills and an impressive .257 hitting percentage along with one solo block and four block assists. Mary Kate Sheehan showcased her strong skills with 11 kills. Kendra Dziubinski looked excellent with 8 kills and 6 block assists, while Natalie Glowe chipped in 8 kills, as well. Maddie Maziarz and Haley Nicholson split setting duties with 19 and 15 assists, respectively. Lexi MacDonald made plenty of clutch plays with 25 digs.

John Carroll will look to get back on the winning track on Saturday, as the Blue Streaks host Capital for a 1 pm match while commemorating Senior/Graduate Day.
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