DELAWARE, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan University volleyball team hosted Albion on night one of the NCAC/MIAA Crossover at Branch Rickey Arena on Friday night. The Battling Bishops would get out to an early lead taking the first set, but unfortunately dropped the next three, falling 1-3.

OWU ends up with their first blemish of the season, falling to 3-1. Albion remains perfect at 4-0.

The Red and Black held a steady lead throughout set one, going up 18-16 before going on a six-point run to make it set-point at 24-16. OWU would eventually finish it off 25-19 to take an early one-set lead.

Ohio Wesleyan was within striking distance in the second set, making a late push at set-point to get within three, but would ultimately fall 25-21. The third set was a back-and-forth affair as the Bishops battled into extra points with Albion. Despite having a few opportunities to close it out, OWU would suffer a 31-29 loss. The Brits then went on to finish the match with a 25-16 win in set four.

THE NUMBERS
The Red and Black recorded 46 total kills, led by Natalie Dieball with 13. Reagan Brake was close behind with nine, followed by Lily Bechina with six.

Maggi Wall had three of the team's eight aces, with Dieball and Jenna Ashbrook picking up the other two.

The defensive front for Ohio Wesleyan made eight blocks, led by Brake with six and Dieball and Abby Nulph with two each.

Bechina was the leading setter once again, recording 27 of OWU's 42 assists. Ashbrook had six followed by Bella Guzzetta with three.

Bechina also let the Bishops in digs, notching 18 of the team's 74. Guzzetta and Dieball both tallied 13.

UP NEXT
The Bishops will host No. 3 Hope as well as Calvin for the second day of the NCAC/MIAA Crossover tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.