TIGERS PICK UP FIRST CCAC WIN IN FIVE-SET THRILLER AT ROOSEVELT

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – After taking an early two-set lead, the Olivet Nazarene University women's volleyball team staved off a comeback and came up big down the stretch to earn a 25-18, 25-15, 19-25, 25-27, 15-13 win at Roosevelt Tuesday night.

In the decisive fifth set, both teams took turns going on mini spurts to trade the lead back and forth up until the match was tied at 13-13. ONU would receive back-to-back kills from Halle Nicholas and Molly Kurtz to take the set and the match, giving the Tigers their first win in conference action this season.

The Tigers made quick work of the Lakers in the opening two sets, putting down 25 kills to Roosevelt's 11 across the first two frames to an early two-set advantage.

ONU appeared poised to close out the win in four sets, sitting at match point after Nicholas forced a deuce and then went to an advantage on a Lakers' bad set. But Roosevelt closed out the fourth with three straight points to force the fifth set.

Kelsey Todd hammered down a match-high 12 kills along with six service aces and six digs. Kaylee Cozen also collected double-digit kills with 10. Nicholas finished with nine and Sabrina Sanif recorded eight.

Hadleigh Loitz led all players with 45 assists while picking up five digs. She also had a pair of kills and assisted on a block. Sara Serafimova led the defensive effort with 10 digs.

The Tigers will look to build on the momentum as they host Governors State Thursday evening in McHie Arena at 7 p.m. CST.

--ONU—

*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu