DELAWARE, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan University volleyball team hosted at Branch Rickey Arena Saturday morning against Denison and Case Western Reserve. The Battling Bishops would split on the day, taking down Denison 3-1 and falling to Case Western Reserve 3-0.

OWU moves to 7-10 on the season. Denison falls to 8-10, while CWRU improves to 10-11.

GAME ONE: OHIO WESLEYAN 3-2 DENISON
The Battling Bishops started the day strong, taking an early 14-5 set lead in the first set. They built on the lead and controlled the set the rest of the way, closing it out 25-13. The second set was a battle early, as both sides exchanged points until OWU gained momentum and pulled ahead, 15-8. The Bishops held off a late comeback attempt from the Big Red to claim the second set 25-20.

Set three was a highly contested duel, as both sides were deadlocked at 14, hoping to break through. Denison answered the Bishop pressure, as they surged ahead 19-14 and never looked back, taking the set 25-17. OWU responded in set four, as they soared to a 9-2 early lead and maintained control the rest of the way, closing the match with a 25-14 set victory. 

The Bishops were led by Natalie Dieball with 12 kills, followed by Mason Campbell with 11 and Jordanne Shannon with seven.  

Jenna Ashbrook, Avery Krause, and Abby Nulph tallied two aces apiece. 

Nulph led the Bishops with seven blocks, Mason Campbell and Lily Bechina both recorded three. 

Ashbrook was the leading setter with 16 of the team's 39 assists. Bechina followed closely with 14. 

OWU recorded 49 digs, with Bella Guzzetta tallying a team-high 11. Dieball contributed with 10 and Campbell eight.

GAME TWO: CASE WESTERN RESERVE 3-0 OHIO WESLEYAN 
OWU looked to build on their game one victory in game two. However, Case Western Reserve would prevail in straight sets, taking the contest 3-0. 

Set one was neck-and-neck, as both sides battled until CWRU pulled ahead late and took the first set 25-19. 

The Battling Bishops struggled to find their groove in set two, falling behind early 9-2. The Bishops fought back late to cut the deficit to 23-20, but CWRU closed it out with the final two points to take a two-set lead.

Set three as all CWRU, as they took an early lead and carried it throughout the set, closing the match 25-15. 

OWU was led once again by Natalie Dieball with 13 kills. Mason Campbell notched six and Linsey Mayor recorded four.

Jenna Ashbrook had the Bishop's only ace in the contest. 

OWU made one block, as Abby Nulph and Mason Campbell each recorded a block assist.

Bechina was the leading setter for game two, as she accounted for 20 of the team's 29 assists. 

OWU tallied 54 digs in the contest, with 14 from Campbell, 11 from Dieball, and 10 from Avery Krause. 

UP NEXT
The Bishops travel to Earlham on Tuesday to face the Quakers at 7:00 p.m.