The Capital University volleyball team clinched the No. 6 seed in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Saturday with a 25-15, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21 triumph at John Carroll in University Heights, Ohio.
The Crusaders (20-11 overall, 4-5 OAC) will play at the loser of today's Otterbein-Mount Union match on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to open postseason play.
"This was just the type of win we needed heading into the OAC Tournament," Capital coach Pam Briggs said. "We worked on some different things in the third, but then turned it around in the fourth. We overcame a good push by John Carroll."
Capital's middle hitter tandem of senior Emily Heitmeyer (Ottawa, Ohio) and junior
Leanne Schaefer (Verona, Wis.; at right) tallied 13 kills apiece to lead the offense. Sophomore Elissa Foster (North Royalton, Ohio) paced the defense with 21 digs.
Sophomore Tara Luth (Celina, Ohio) finished with seven kills, 13 digs and a team-high four service aces, while classmate Sanaya El-Naggar (Mason, Ohio) added six kills and 11 digs.
Capital recorded six team blocks during the match, something Briggs thought was a key to the win.
"Sanaya, Leanne and Emily combined for some key blocks up front," Briggs said. "I thought Elissa Foster did a great job running the show and serving in the back row."
With the win in their regular season finale, the Crusaders capped their first 20-win season since 2008, when the team posted 24 victories.
Capital was defeated by both of its potential OAC Tournament opponents earlier this season. The Crusaders fell at Otterbein 3-0 on Oct. 15, then won the first two sets before dropping a 3-2 heartbreaker at home against Mount Union one week later.
