Box Score Some might consider the AU volleyball team a bunch of control freaks.
The Eagles won't argue with that moniker. Through nine matches, that obsession has served them well. This team thrives on getting an early lead, taking control of the match and then forcing the opposition to play near-perfect volleyball. Only two teams to date - Washburn and West Virginia Wesleyan - have foiled that plan.
Friday night (Sept. 20) at Kates Gymnasium the Eagles swept Findlay, 3-0 in the GLIAC opener for both clubs. The Oilers entered this match just outside the national Top 25, listed in "Among Others Receiving Votes."
Maybe that got the attention of the Eagles, who won, 25-18, 25-18, 25-16. Prior to the match, the Ashland coaching staff reminded the Eagles that a year ago, the Oilers came to Ashland and pulled out a 3-2 triumph.
The Eagles were determined not to see a repeat of that. Maybe that's why control was the theme of the night. AU (7-2) grabbed the lead in each set and the Oilers(7-3) played from behind for most of the 73-minute contest.
"We didn't spiral out of control," said AU head coach Cass Dixon. "It's a great way to start GLIAC play. We stuck to the game plan tonight. The whole focus was to maintain our discipline. I think we did that."
AU had a 10-6 lead in the first set and a 7-2 advantage in the second. In the third, the Eagles roared out to a 6-1 lead. Findlay fought back to tie, 14-14 and the Eagles scored the next two points on kills by Shelly DeHenning and Kate Eckels. AU built the lead to 20-16 and cruised home.
In just about every category the Eagles doubled up the Oilers. Ashland led in blocks, 14-8, in service aces, 8-2 and in digs, 41-23. Six AU players hit .250 or better and as a team, the Eagles had a .340 hitting percentage.
"That's amazing," said Dixon.
Eckels led AU with 13 kills. Samantha Zuber had 10 kills, five block assists and a .400 hitting percentage. Casey Clark had 10 kills.
Defensive specialist Marci Zegarac had a team-high 18 digs. DeHenning had 42 assists, three aces and four block assists.
Mackenzie Vorst led the Oilers with eight kills.
The Eagles have a short turnaround - on Saturday at 2 p.m., they host Wayne State.
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VB/ALK
