Oilers Drop Road Contest to Walsh
Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay volleyball team traveled east tonight, Oct. 21 for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) matchup against Walsh University. Findlay fell to Walsh 3-2 (19-25, 25-27, 25-19, 25-18, 19-17). Findlay moves to a 14-11 overall record and falls to 10-2 in conference play. Meanwhile, Walsh moves to 12-9 on the season and 7-7 in the G-MAC.
The Oilers began the match winning the first two sets in dominating fashion. The Oilers, who faced Walsh just one month ago, held all the momentum heading into the next set.
However, the tides would turn, and the third set would favor the home team. With the score tied at 14, the Cavs went on a 7-2 run to gain all the momentum and ultimately take the set.
The fourth set saw back-and-forth action with the lead tying six times just halfway through the set. Walsh then went on a charge outscoring Findlay 9-2. The Oilers were never able to catch the Cavaliers as Walsh would win the set by seven.
The fifth and final set was once again back-and-forth. The Oilers found themselves slightly behind but were able to fight off Walsh's set point three times before falling from two consecutive kills from Walsh's dominant offense.
As a team, Findlay hit .236, picking up 65 kills and making 19 errors. On the other side, Walsh outhit the Oilers by hitting .316 in the match. They recorded 66 kills with 16 errors.
The night was highlighted by senior Norah Painter's dominant performance. The senior racked up 23 kills, a career high during her time at Findlay. In fact, her 23 kills tonight tops her all time career high including her four years at Xavier University. Painter hit .277 on the night and recorded three blocks and nine digs. She recorded an impressive 25 points for the Oilers.
Assisting Painter was freshman standout Alana Pohlman who recorded sixteen kills. Pohlman also chipped in three blocks. Sophomore Taylor Baxter tied her career high after recording eight kills.
Freshman Emma White recorded 46 assists on the night and also added six digs. Findlay's leaders in that category were sophomores Ava Doster and Taylor Baxter who had 16 and 15 digs respectively. Doster also recorded four service aces while junior Alissa Rhodes recorded three.
The Oilers will be back in action tomorrow, Oct. 22 as they remain in the area to take on Malone University at 1pm.