BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Capital University volleyball team fell in a pair of matches against Hanover (Ind.) (3-1) and Transylvania (Ky.) (3-0) at Bluffton University on day two of the Ohio Athletic Conference-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Crossover.

In the Crusaders first match against Hanover, Capital fell behind 2-0 early on through the first two sets of play, dropping set one 25-17 and set two by a slim margin of 26-24.

Capital then rebounded in set three to narrow the set deficit to 2-1, defeating Hanover 25-23. Set four went to the Panthers, as they won 25-12 in convincing fashion.

Leading the way for the Crusaders in their initial match of the day was sophomore Mona Ratliff (South Charleston, Ohio), who led the team with seven kills, six service aces, four block assists, and one solo block.

Fellow sophomores Kristin Bender (Fremont, Ohio) and Hanna Ewart (Wichita, Kan.) followed with five kills apiece, while Bender also posted a pair of solo blocks and block assists.

Senior Kelly Leonard (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the team with 16 digs, while junior Katie Weilbacher (Grove City, Ohio) paced Capital and tied for a match-high with 17 assists.

Sophomore Courtney McCracken (Newark, Ohio) chipped in four kills and 15 digs. A total of five Capital players recorded at least four kills in the defeat.

The afternoon match featured the Crusaders taking on Transylvania, to which Capital fell in three straight sets.

The Pioneers narrowly defeated Capital, 27-25 in the first set, before following with a four point victory at 25-21. With a 2-0 set lead, Transylvania fought off yet another tough effort from the Crusaders, eventually winning by a pair of points at 25-23.

Leading the way for the Crusaders was Ewart who led the team with 9 kills and a pair of block assists.

Ratliff followed with seven kills, four block assists, two service aces, and a solo block. Weilbacher again led Capital with 23 assists, while also tallying a service ace.

Freshmen Caitlin McDivitt (Cortland, Ohio), Janelle Watson (Bellevue, Ohio), and Jessica Winstel (Milford, Ohio) combined for 37 digs, while Winstel led the Crusaders with 14.

McCracken was named to the OAC-HCAC Crossover all-tournament team as Capital's representative. 

Capital is now set to return home for its final non-conference match against Oberlin on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Capital Center.