COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University volleyball team defeated a strong Denison University team on Wednesday night by a final score of 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-22, 25-9). Much of the success for Capital came on the heels of a dominant evening blocking and serving as the Comets totaled up 13 team blocks and landed 15 service aces in the effort. 

Capital, now 5-7 on the year, was led offensively by Simone Daniel who accrued 12 kills on an efficient .444 hitting percentage as she failed to commit an error in the match. 

At the net, Larissa Smith came up with the big time swats, getting in on a career-high nine blocks, three of which came by herself. 

At the service line, five Comets picked up at least one ace, while Olivia Spillers (5) and Bryn Whitmer (4) combined for nine aces. 

After a comfortable first set, the Comets were set back to a tied match at one set each, with Denison (5-6) taking the second set. In the third though, Capital fended off steady pressure from the Big Red to remain ahead in the set. A 7-1 set early on in the third set the Comets on their way, eventually leading 14-7, but Denison scrapped to stay in the set, eventually falling 25-22 to Capital who held off the pressure. 

In the fourth set, Capital won the first eight points on a serving run from Olivia Spillers that all but sank the Big Red from staying in the match. Another steady run flipped an 11-6 scoreline into an 18-6 score that eventually led to the final 25-9 scoreline in the fourth set, giving Capital their first win over Denison since September 13, 2011. 

Supporting the offense behind Simone Daniel were Sophia Sobota and Samaree Perkins who each landed eight kills. Larissa Smith ended with seven kills as well. 

Bryn Whitmer set up 23 assists in the match, while Kenadee Winters racked up 10 assists. 

In defense, Abby Brunner had a team-best 20 digs and she was supported by Olivia Spillers with 11 and Sobota with 10. 

At the net, Smith led the way with nine blocks, while Abby Reed finished with four swats. Sobota, Daniel, and Perkins each had two. 

In service, Spillers led with five aces, followed by Whitmer (4), Sobota (3), Brunner (2) and Daniel (1). 

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Capital will travel to Buffalo, New York this coming weekend where they will play three matches between Friday, September 20th to Saturday September 21st. The Comets will play Buffalo State, St. John Fisher and Pitt-Bradford in the three matches.