Box Score

The Capital University volleyball team nearly took the first set before bowing out in three sets Tuesday, falling 25-22, 25-13, 25-12 at Ohio Northern in the Ohio Athletic Conference opener for both teams in Ada, Ohio.

Sophomore Marissa Price (Tiffin, Ohio; at right) tallied a team-high nine kills to go along with four digs to lead the Crusaders (6-9 overall, 0-1 OAC), who had their five-match winning streak snapped.

After Ohio Northern (12-3, 1-0) opened up a 19-14 in the first set, Capital won four of the next five points and forced an ONU timeout. The Polar Bears took four of the next seven points, then traded points with the Crusaders to end the set.

After Ohio Northern jumped out to a big lead en route to a win in the second set, Capital took the first three points of the third. The Crusaders later trailed 15-12 before the Polar Bears emerged with the match by taking the last 10 points of the set.

The middle hitter trio of senior Leanne Schaefer (Verona, Wis.), sophomore Melissa Verhoff (Ottawa, Ohio) and freshman Olivia Arledge (Frankfort, Ohio) combined for 14 kills and eight blocks. Freshman Angie Fisher (Celina, Ohio) recorded 15 assists and six digs, while classmate Katie Weilbacher (Grove City, Ohio) contributed with nine assists and three digs.

Senior Shannon Quinn (Miamisburg, Ohio) led the defense with 22 digs.

Capital returns to non-conference play this weekend at the Transylvania (Ky.) Tournament. The team begins the two-day competition Friday against Mount St. Joseph at 1 p.m. and Hanover (Ind.) at 5 p.m.