COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Capital Women's Volleyball team came up just short in a very close match against the Fighting Muskies of Muskingum. After losing two hard-fought sets early, the Comets won two of their own to force a fifth set. The Comets were unable to keep their momentum alive, losing the 5th set, 15-7 and the match, 3-2.

The tough loss makes the Comets record 9-16, dropping them to 1-7 in conference play. Muskingum improves to 12-10 overall and 4-4 in OAC play. Capital hopes to bounce back this weekend in their regular season finale where they will travel to Alliance, Ohio to take on the Mount Union Purple Raiders.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first set was a very back and forth set with neither team being able to pull away. Some impressive defense at the net from Larissa Smith and Samaree Perkins kept the Comets alive late leading to extra points. Capital regained the lead for the first time since the first point of the set going up 25-24, but the Muskies fired back and won the set 27-25.

The second set was a similar story. Capital took the lead early on, but the Muskies battled back and were able to control the lead for most of the second set. A pair of kills from Sophia Sobota allowed the Comets to take the lead back late, but unfortunately it wasn't enough and Muskingum took set two 25-20.

The third and fourth sets were all Capital. The Comets started to come together and make more plays and control the lead for the majority of these two sets. Abby Brunner was making play after play for the Comets, keeping them alive and allowing her teammates to make plays. The Comets came away with the third set 25-21. The end of the 4th set had the Comets up 23-18, where it looked like they would run away with it. Muskingum had other ideas, tying the set 24-24. Samaree Perkins found a hole in the defense to end the Muskies run, and set the Comets in the right direction to finish the set 26-24.

The Comets came out hot in the fifth set, but the Muskies were able to catch fire again forcing a Capital timeout. Capital kept it close for a while, however, Muskingum was able to pull away and win the fifth set 15-7.

THE NUMBERS
Abby Brunner made her presence known, flying around the court and garnering a career high 39 digs.

Simone Daniel and Samaree Perkins were surgical at the net, each of them scoring 12 kills. Sophia Sobota and Olivia Spillers weren't far behind, sending home 10 kills a piece.

Emily Yanczura was setting her teammates up all night, dishing out a career high 23 assists.

UP NEXT
Capital Women's Volleyball will travel to Alliance, Ohio to take on the Mount Union Purple Raiders in their final regular season match of the season. The match is set to start at 1:00 pm.