Oilers Win Close Battle with Northwood | Colchagoff Wins 500th Game
Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay volleyball team was at home tonight, Oct. 8 for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) matchup against Northwood University. Findlay defeated Northwood 3-2 (27-25, 19-25, 25-23, 15-25, 15-9). Findlay now holds a 13-8 overall record and moves to 10-1 in conference play. Most notably, Coach Wick Colchagoff earned his 500th win at Findlay. Meanwhile, Northwood falls to 10-9 on the season and 5-4 in the G-MAC.
In the first set, both teams went back-and-forth with the score being tied sixteen times. The last tied score was at 25 but it was the Oilers who were able to capitalize on two back-to-back errors from Northwood to win the first set.
The second set favored the Timberwolves as they got out to an early 3-0 lead. The Oilers struggled to recover but the Timberwolves momentum led them to a 6-0 run in the set leaving the Oilers down nine toward the end of the set. Northwood would ultimately win the set by six.
The third set favored the Oilers as they opened the set dominating the Tiberwolves 10-4. In fact, the Oilers held the lead the entire set. A late run by Northwood was not enough to overcome the Oilers as a kille by Taylor Baxter put the set away for Findlay.
In the fourth set, the momentum changed once again to favor Northwood as they score the first four points of the set. The Oilers would tie the game up before Northwood went on a charge outscoring Findlay 10-2. The Oilers were never able to catch the Timberwolves as Northwood would win the set by ten points.
The fifth and final set favored the home team. With Croy Gymnasium loud, the Oilers would go on an 8-3 run to open the set. Northwood couldn't recover as Findlay ended the set with a kill by Alana Pohlman followed by an ace by Ava Doster.
As a team, Findlay hit .214, picking up 60 kills and making 24 errors. On the other side, Northwood hit an .211 in the match and recorded 62 kills with 26 errors.
Sophomore Journey Blevins, who has won four consecutive G-MAC Offensive Player of the Week awards, led the way with 19 kills, hitting .240 on the night. Senior Norah Painter tallied 13 kills and hit .19. Senior Emma Meyer chipped in, adding ten kills.
Freshman Emma White added 21 assists on the night and also added seven digs. Findlay's leader in that category was sophomore Ava Doster who had 28 digs.
The Oilers will be back in Oct. 14 and 15 as they travel to Hammond, Ind. for the annual Crossover Tournament which features teams from the G-MAC, GLIAC, and GLVC.