Box Score This volleyball season is still young but the scouting report is starting to circulate - this Ashland team has options. It's not three doors like the standard game show, it's like a mansion with doors scattered all over the property.
Friday night (Sept. 13) at Kates Gymnasium, the Eagles ran their record to 5-1, beating Tusculum, 3-0. That was Tusculum's first loss of the season. Earlier on Friday, the Eagles swept Lock Haven, handing the Bald Eagles their initial loss of the season. Up next for the Eagles on Saturday are matches against Wheeling Jesuit and Cedarville.
AU's only setback this year is against Washburn, ranked sixth in the country. AU was competitive in that match, even though the Eagles relied on a number of newcomers in key situations.
"We don't know any better," remarked AU head coach Cass Dixon about her team's ability to come out and give a consistent - and quality - effort every time out. "We just go out and play and battle. There's no baggage. We're just a different team than we were before. I think we'll surprise a lot of people.
The Eagles upended Tusculum, 25-14, 25-21, 25-16. From the opening whistle, the Eagles seemed to be in control. This is a strong Pioneers team and in the third stanza, down 18-8, it did fight its way back and cut the AU margin down to 18-12. Ashland scored the next four points, two on kills by Shannon Murdock. That pretty much drained all enthusiasm from the visitors.
Sophomore middle blocker Samantha Zuber had nine kills and seven block assists. Freshman outside hitter Casey Clark had 12 kills and 15 digs and freshman outside hitter Alli Cudworth contributed 10 kills. Senior defensive specialist Marci Zegarac had 23 digs.
Zuber, Clark and Cudworth and the rest of the Eagles never seem to play back on their heels. They attack from the get-go and right now, that philosophy is serving them well.
"That's been our focus from when we played last week," said Dixon. "Take care of first contact. When we do that we can run a real balanced offense. We can score from every position. We stress that, being a balanced team. Based on the numbers you can see that."
Danae Stauffer had 10 kills for the Pioneers and Caitlyn Dean had 23 digs and a pair of service aces.
AU's first match on Saturday is at 2 p.m., against Cedarville. Ashland plays Wheeling Jesuit at 7 p.m. The Cardinals were ranked 18th in the first national poll and are listed among "Others Receiving Votes" in this week's poll. A year ago Wheeling Jesuit went 38-3, won the Atlantic Region crown and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.
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