Oilers Win Big in PA | Take Down Mercyhurst and Gannon
Box Score v. Mercyhurst | Box Score v. Gannon
Erie, Pa.- The University of Findlay volleyball team traveled to Erie, Pa. for three matches this weekend, their second and third were today Saturday, Sep. 10 against the Mercyhurst Lakers and Gannon Golden Knights.
In their first game against Mercyhurst University, the Oilers got the win 3-1 (28-26, 25-15, 26-28, 26-24) and moved to 3-7 on the year and remained 1-0 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). With the loss, Mercyhurst moves to 2-7 on the season.
In the first set, the Oilers took the lead early and continued with it. They went on a 6-2 run halfway through the set to take the lead by 6. The Lakers tried to make a comeback as they scored 6 consecutive points to take the lead by one at 25-24. But it wasn't enough as the Oilers recorded two kills, a block, and an error to put the set away.
In the second set, the Oilers dominated early and continued with the large lead throughout the set. In fact, they went 7-1 lead to open the set before going on another 6-1 lead towards the end of the set. It was ultimately a kill by senior Emma Meyer that gave the Oilers the set.
The third set was back-and-forth but favored the Oilers throughout. In fact they held a 20-16 lead before the Lakers struck back. The Lakers brought it back and tied the score up at 23. It was tied again at 24, 25, and 26 before the Lakers recorded back-to-back kills to to give their first set of the match.
In the fourth set, the Oilers found themselves trailing in the beginning of the set. It was six consecutive points that gave them the lead. However, the Lakers weren't going away easy as they came back and tied the game twice before the Oilers finally put them away with a kill followed by an ace by senior Emma Meyer.
As a team, Findlay hit .281, picking up 63 kills and making 18 errors. On the other side, Mercyhurst hit .158 in the match and recorded 49 kills with 24 errors.
The Oilers were led by sophomore Journey Blevins who recorded a team-high 25 kills and hit an impressive .352. The standout, who earned multiple accolades last season, was just two kills short of her career-high of 27 which came last season. Blevins still chases former standout and now assistant coach Hannah Tong who holds the record for kills in a game at 31. Blevins also recorded six blocks and ten digs during the match.
Assisting Blevins were senior Norah Painter and freshman Alana Pohlman who chipped in eleven kills each. They hit .182 and .381 respectively.
Freshman Emma White recorded 55 assists. Sophomore Ava Doster contributed 23 digs. Seniors Emma Meyer recorded four blocks.
In their second game of the day, the Oilers took on #25 Gannon University and took the win 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 26-24). The Oilers are now 4-7 on the season and remain 1-0 in the G-MAC.
The first set was a back-and-forth matchup as both teams never took more than a two point lead. The Golden Knights then went on a 5-0 run to go up by three midway through the set. It was then the Oilers who had their own run of 4 to go up by one late. With the score tied at 23, the Oilers took the set with a kill from Journey Blevins followed by an ace by freshman Olivia Pearce.
The second was also back-and-forth. The Oilers were down 24-22 at the end of the match. However they rallied with four straight points which came from three kills and an ace.
The third set started in favor of Findlay. They took an early 8-2 lead before Gannon went on a 12-6 run to tie the score at 14. Then with the score at 15, the Oilers made another run, scoring five consecutive points. The Golden Knights would once again bring the score back. With the score tied at 24, the Oilers sealed the deal with a block followed by a kill to take the third set.
As a team, Findlay hit .203, picking up 47 kills and making 18 errors. On the other side, Gannon hit .165 in the match and recorded 32 kills with 13 errors.
Leading the Oilers once again was sophomore Journey Blevins. She recorded 16 kills with 7 errors on 47 attempts to hit .191. Assisting Blevins was senior Natalie Maras who recorded 9 kills and hit .263. Seniors Norah Painter and Emma Meyer also chipped in with 7 kills each.
Freshman Emma White recorded 35 assists. Sophomore Ava Doster contributed 21 digs. Seniors Emma Meyer and freshman Emma White both recorded four blocks.
The Oilers will be back in action Tuesday, Sept. 13 as they take on the Tiffin Dragons on the road at 7pm.