COLUMBUS – The Capital University volleyball team closed its regular season home schedule and wrapped up a spot in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Tuesday with a 27-25, 25-23, 25-19 victory over Muskingum at the Capital Center.

The Crusaders (15-13 overall, 3-5 OAC) rode the momentum from a thrilling first-set comeback to top the Muskies, who fell to 10-15 and 1-7 in the conference.

Freshmen outside hitters Courtney McCracken (Newark, Ohio) and Hanna Ewart (Wichita, Kan.) led the offense with 14 and 13 kills, respectively. Junior Kelly Leonard (Cincinnati, Ohio) registered a match-high 21 digs to go along with three service aces and an overall strong serving performance.

Freshman middle hitter Mona Ratliff (South Charleston, Ohio) posted nine kills and a team-best three blocks. Sophomore setter Katie Weilbacher (Grove City, Ohio) recorded 21 assists and six digs, while junior outside hitter/setter Marissa Price (Tiffin, Ohio) contributed with 20 assists and eight digs.

Capital fell behind quickly and trailed 19-10 late in the first set. The Crusaders then ran off 17 of the last 23 points in the frame, highlighted by runs on the serves of Ratliff, Price and Leonard. Capital took the final two points on a Muskingum attack error and a kill by McCracken, who combined with Ewart for 13 kills in the period.

The Crusaders continued their strong play in the second set, eventually jumping out to an 18-12 advantage after trailing 10-7. Capital withstood a late rally by the Muskies as freshman middle hitter Kristin Bender (Fremont, Ohio) blocked Hanna Rose's attack to give the Crusaders a two-set lead.

Muskingum jumped out to a 7-4 advantage in the third, but Capital quickly rallied to take a 12-9 lead. The Crusaders extended the lead to 18-11 on Weilbacher's serve and hung on to clinch the victory.

If the season ended today, Capital would hold the No. 7 seed in the OAC Tournament and visit Mount Union for a quarterfinal match next Tuesday. The Crusaders can still grab the sixth seed with a win this Saturday at Otterbein and a Baldwin Wallace loss.

Capital's match against the cross-town rival Cardinals begins at 11 a.m. in Westerville.