DELAWARE, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan University volleyball team hosted NCAC-leading Wittenberg Saturday afternoon, looking to hand the Tigers their first conference loss of the season. The Battling Bishop fought resiliently throughout the contest, but ultimately dropped the match in straight sets. 

With the loss, OWU dropped their first conference matchup since September 27. The Bishops fall to 10-13 overall, and 3-2 in the NCAC. Wittenberg improves to 14-7, and remain undefeated in conference at 5-0

Both sides were knotted at four to begin the first set, but Wittenberg strung together a run of points to seize momentum and take the set, 25-19. The Bishops came out strong in set two, pulling ahead late and holding a 20-11 lead over the Tigers. However, Wittenberg stormed back and proved why they are atop the NCAC, going on a 14-4 run and stealing the set from the Bishops. Set three remained tightly contested, as both sides were deadlocked at 16. The two teams continued to trade points, but Wittenberg prevailed, closing the match with a 25-23 set victory. 

THE NUMBERS
OWU tallied 25 total kills, led by Mason Campbell with nine. Jordanne Shannon followed closely with five.

Natalie Dieball guided the Bishops with six of the team's 13 service aces. Abby Nulph recorded six, Mason Campbell and Maggi Wall picked up two apiece.

On the defensive end, the Red and Black made three blocks. Lily Bechina and Abby Nulph both had two block assists. Reagan Brake and Mason Campbell each logged one block assist. 

Bechina led the Bishops with 22 of the team's 24 total assists. Dieball and Avery Krause recorded the other two.

OWU totaled 40 digs, escorted by Krause with 11. Followed by Bella Guzzeta and Mason Campbell with nine and seven, respectively. 

UP NEXT
The Bishops will hope to get back in the win column on Wednesday, as they travel to DePauw. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m.