Eagle Volleyball Sweeps Cedarville, Wins Great Midwest South Title

One championship down, and another one potentially on the way in less than 24 hours.
 
On Friday (Oct. 28) night at the Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium, Ashland University's volleyball team clinched the South Division title in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference following a 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-21) win over Cedarville on Senior Night.
 
"We have a special group of seniors, and (there were) a lot of emotions today, but I was very proud of everybody, how they prepared for the week," said Ashland head coach Kevin Foeman. "I think that allowed us to do well today.
 
"We knew they (Cedarville) were going to come in, they're extremely talented. They had a good game plan. We found a way to win. Survive and advance."
 
A win in Ashland's first home match in 20 days moved the Eagles, receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division II coaches poll, to 21-6 overall and 14-0 in the conference. If Ashland tops Ohio Dominican (11-16, 6-8) at home on Saturday (Oct. 29) at 2 p.m., and Findlay defeats Hillsdale at home on Saturday, the Eagles will win the outright Great Midwest title and play host to the 2022 Great Midwest Tournament on Nov. 10-12.
 
"We'll let everyone else think of that," Foeman said. "We've got to get ready for a very talented, extremely talented ODU team tomorrow. We have our work cut out for us, but I'm very happy with everything so far."
 
The Yellow Jackets are 11-13, 9-5.
 
WHAT HAPPENED

• Trailing 9-6 early in the first set, Ashland worked the score back to a 12-all tie, then took a 15-13 lead before a Yellow Jackets timeout. The second Cedarville stoppage of the opening set came with AU leading, 20-16, and the Eagles went on to lead the match 1-0.
• Ashland was behind by a 17-13 count in set No. 3 before calling timeout, then trailed 21-18 prior to scoring seven consecutive points to win the match.

 
THE WRAP-UP

• Sophomore outside hitter Makenna Belcher had a team-high 13 kills on Friday night, and senior middle blocker Anna Krikke added 11 kills and a .421 hitting percentage.
• "It was definitely a close game, and they're a good team," Krikke said. "We deserve that South Division title, and hopefully, the GMAC title tomorrow."
• Fifth-year setter Zoey Peck collected 33 assists. Ashland hit .294 as a team on Friday night after hitting .370 against the Yellow Jackets on the road on Sept. 20.
• Defensively, junior libero Katie Thompson racked up 23 digs, and senior defensive specialist Stephanie Smith added 16.
• "It feels amazing," Smith said. "All the girls put in a lot of work this week, so our hard work really showed tonight. We always find a way to win."
• Ashland is 11-2 all-time vs. Cedarville.
• Saturday's home match with ODU will be a Halloween-themed contest. Bags of candy will be available in the lobby for any person who dresses up in a costume, and there will be a contest in-between the second and third sets where the fans will vote on their favorite costume. The winner will receive gift cards and a T-shirt.