ONU GETS BACK ON TRACK WITH FIVE-SET VICTORY AT USF

JOLIET, Ill. – Trailing two sets to one in the midst of a three-game skid, the Olivet Nazarene University volleyball team came up big down the stretch, earning a 25-20, 19-25, 21-25, 25-23, 18-16 victory at St. Francis (Ill.) Tuesday night.

The Tigers had their backs against the wall as the Fighting Saints sat at match point in the decisive fifth set. Trailing 14-11, Molly Kurtz hammered down a kill to keep the game alive. ONU was then the beneficiary of three straight USF attacking errors to take the lead and the potential match point.

USF (6-14, 5-3 CCAC) rattled off two points to retake the advantage, but ONU received back-to-back kills from Kurtz and Halle Nicholas to take a lead they would not relinquish. Kaylee Cozen put down a kill to close out the ONU win.

It appeared as if it could have been a quick night as the Tigers came out in dominant form, putting down 15 kills to just three errors on a .375 hitting percentage in the first set to cruise to a 1-0 lead.

The Fighting Saints, who currently sit third in the CCAC standings, took control of the match over the second and third sets. USF utilized quick runs to take early command, but the Tigers were able to bounce back in the fourth to force the dramatic fifth set.

Four Tigers finished with double-digit kills. Nicholas led the team with 16, Cozen had 13, Kaitlyn Kolb finished with 12 and Sabrina Sanif recorded 11.

Hadleigh Loitz tallied 55 assists, setting a new career-best and matching the 10th-highest single-match assist total in program history, tying Janelle Skinner's 55-assist performance against Indiana Northwest on Mar. 16, 2021.

Sara Serafimova paced the defense with a match-high 28 digs. Karsyn Delbridge contributed 13 and Malia Harris added 12.

The Tigers (7-9, 5-4 CCAC) will now compete in the William Woods Quad this weekend, facing off against No. 13 Columbia (Mo.) Friday before taking on Georgetown (Ky.) Saturday.

--ONU—

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