OLIVET NAZARENE POWERS PAST MOUNT MARY WITH HOME SWEEP

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Olivet Nazarene (IL) (6-17, 4-5) swept Mount Mary (3-20, 1-9) in straight sets on Tuesday evening at McHie Arena, winning 25-13, 25-18, 25-21.

Olivet Nazarene opened the first set with a steady performance, countering an early Mount Mary service ace with a kill from Brynn Nikonchuk, assisted by Skylar Dorsey. After a series of exchanges, the Tigers found momentum with a series of successful plays, including a block by Analiese Fredin and Sabrina Sanif, and a service ace from Jayley Fisher that extended their lead. Olivet continued to build on their advantage with key contributions from various players, including multiple kills from Fredin and Naomi Monney-Hori. The team capitalized on the Blue Angels' errors and maintained their scoring drive, ultimately closing the set with a block by Ayla Dorsey on an attack by Andriana White. The first set concluded with Olivet leading 25-13, setting a strong tone for the match.

Olivet Nazarene opened the second set strong with a decisive series of plays that shifted momentum in their favor. Key contributions from Monney-Hori, who recorded multiple kills, helped build an early lead. Sanif's service ace and effective blocks further extended the home team's advantage. Despite a brief Mount Mary rally that brought them within a point, the Tigers responded with a critical scoring run led by Ayla Dorsey and Nikonchuk. The set closed with Olivet maintaining their lead, finishing 25-18, and securing a solid position in the match.

The Tigers capitalized on key momentum swings to secure the third set against the Blue Angels. After a slow start, Olivet tied the game at 7-7 with a service ace from Fisher and a block by Monney-Hori and Sanif. The team maintained pressure as Fredin delivered two consecutive service aces, helping Olivet take a 14-11 lead. The Tigers extended their advantage with notable kills from Emma Edmonds and Sanif, while Ayla Dorsey added a service ace to push the score to 20-14. Although Mount Mary attempted a late comeback, Olivet's steady performance, highlighted by a crucial kill from Skylar Dorsey, closed the set at 25-21 in favor of the home team.

Monney-Hori led the Olivet attack with 12 kills, hitting at a .458 clip, and added eight digs in the match. Sanif contributed significantly at the net with five block assists and also registered six kills on a .333 hitting percentage. Fisher facilitated the offense with 17 assists and contributed two service aces. Nikonchuk added to the offensive effort with 10 kills, maintaining a .429 hitting percentage.

Olivet Nazarene holds a 6-17 overall record and is 4-5 in conference play. Mount Mary stands at 3-20 overall with a 1-9 record in conference competition.

—ONU—

*Contact: Annabel Murley, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, almurley@olivet.edu