Box Score
Ohio Wesleyan 3, Capital 1

by Michaela Alfano '25

Sophomore outside hitter Natalie Dieball (Cincinnati/Lakota East) and senior middle blocker Ava Kutilek (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) powered the Ohio Wesleyan offense to lead the Bishops to a win over Capital on Wednesday at Branch Rickey Arena.

The Bishops defeated the Comets by scores of 25-17, 25-15, 23-25, 25-20.

Kutilek served up 5 straight points for the Bishops during the first set to give them a 14-7 lead.  Capital tried to battle back, scoring 5 of their own later in the set, but Ohio Wesleyan held the lead.  A service ace from Kutilek finished out the first set, 25-17.

Set 2 started strong with Ohio Wesleyan going on a 6-2 scoring run.  Junior setter Lily Bechina (Chicago, Ill./Jones College Prep) served 9 points and notched 5 assists in the second set to help the Bishops run away with it.  Freshman middle blocker Jordanne Shannon (Detroit, Mich./West Bloomfield), freshman outside hitter Megan Lantis (Wooster) and senior middle blocker Claire Solberg (Huron) collected a block each.

The third set was close, with the teams being tied 10 separate times.  Kutilek served 6 straight for the Bishops to keep them in the match but a late 7-2 run for Capital won them the set, 25-23.

Sophomore defensive specialist Avery Krausse (Cleveland/Holy Name) propelled the Bishops during the fourth set with a 6-point service run.  A 6-1 run for Capital brought them close, but a kill by Lantis notched the 25-20 win.

Dieball led the Bishops with 12 kills, while Lantis added 9.  Solberg collected 9 kills and 9 blocks, including 8 block assists, with the latter figure tying for fourth place on the Ohio Wesleyan single-match list.  Bechina finished with 27 assists.  Campbell and Kutilek both dished out 3 service aces. 

Box Score