Junior right-side hitter Courtney Springer (left) led MVNU (10-3, 0-1 AMC), which is ranked No. 21 in the latest NAIA poll, with 15 kills, 19 digs, four blocks, and two aces, while sophomore middle hitter Jackie Albrecht recorded 13 kills and 13 digs. Junior setter Kaylin Austen handed out 45 assists to go with 11 digs, and freshman middle hitter Gina Porto registered nine kills and a career-high 10 blocks. Senior outside hitter Audrey Hickinbotham and sophomore middle hitter Sarah Yutzy both pounded six kills apiece and finished with 20 and 11 digs respectively, while freshman outside hitter Cieleste Rose tallied nine digs.

“(Northwestern Ohio) deserves a lot of credit tonight,” said MVNU coach Paul Swanson of the newest AMC member which is off to a 12-4 start with a 1-1 AMC record. “They were outstanding in the back row and just made it hard for us to get points. They also served tougher than we did and deserved to win this match. We have got to get more consistent in all areas but especially in serving and serve receiving.”

The Lady Cougars will look to bounce back on Friday when the team will take part in the two-day Taylor (Ind.) University Invitational. MVNU will open play against Trinity International (Ill.) University at 4:00 p.m. before facing the host Lady Trojans at 8:00 p.m. The battle between MVNU and Taylor will pit the two winningest NAIA programs against each other as Taylor currently tops the list with 987 all-time wins and counting, while the Lady Cougars stand at 953 victories heading into the weekend.