"Findlay Match"

  The MVNC women's volleyball team picked up where they left off last year in Mid-Ohio Conference play as they knocked off the University of Findlay 15-5, 2-15, 15-4, and 15-12 in the conference opener for both teams.

  With the win, the two-time defending MOC champs extended their winning streak in MOC matches to 35 straight dating back to 1994. They also successfully increased their home winning streak to an NAIA-record 55 consecutive matches.

  MVNC (5-0, 1-0) started off well in the first game as they jumped out to an early 11-0 lead behind the serving of Erin Weddington, who recorded three aces during that span. After the Lady Oilers (0-1, 0-1) trimmed the margin to 13-5, Weddington finished off the game with two more serves for a 15-5 victory.

  The second game was once again decided at the serving line. However, this time it was Findlay who kept the Lady Cougars off-balance with good serving. The Lady Oilers recorded nine aces on their way to a 15-2 victory in the game.

  MVNC took an early 6-0 lead in the third contest, and then ballooned it to 11-1 behind the hitting of Courtny Testa, Tammy Custer, and Rachel Widener. After Findlay cut the lead to 11-4, the blocking of Tara Seiter, Christa DeLorenzo, and Testa gave the Lady Cougars a 15-4 win.

  The fourth game was a see-saw contest with both teams taking turns holding the lead. Following two aces by Custer and a kill by Testa, MVNC took an early 5-1 lead. However, the Lady Oilers came right back to score the next nine points and pull ahead 10-5. The teams traded points with Findlay clinging to a 12-8 lead. From that point on, the Lady Cougars did not allow their opponents to score another point. Meanwhile, behind the hitting of Custer, Widener, and Jessica Huffaker, MVNC took the game and match with a hard-fought 15-12 victory.

  "They (Findlay) are a very aggressive serving team," said MVNC head coach Paul Swanson. "In addition, we have such a young, inconsistent back row, and the combination spelled disaster in the second game. However, we managed to overcome that and did what we needed to do to win the match."

  Widener led the team with nine kills, while Testa added eight kills and a team-high six blocks. Custer finished with seven kills and two aces, and DeLorenzo recorded six kills and two blocks. Seiter and Weddington led the team with three aces each.

  The Lady Cougars will return to action on Thursday as they travel to Hillsdale (MI) College for a non-conference match.