"Shawnee"

  The MVNC women's volleyball team continued its dominance at home by defeating Shawnee State University 15-10, 15-4, 15-7 in Mid-Ohio Conference action on Tuesday. With the victory, the Lady Cougars extended their NAIA-record home winning streak to 56 consecutive matches dating back to 1991.

  In the first game, Shawnee State (3-5, 0-4) took an early 4-3 lead. Then, behind the serving and hitting of Tara Seiter and Rachel Widener, MVNC (10-3, 3-1) scored five straight points for an 8-4 lead.

  The Lady Cougars increased their lead to 13-7 behind the blocking of Courtny Testa and the hitting of Seiter and Tammy Custer. After the Lady Bears closed the gap to 13-10, an ace by Seiter and a kill by Christa DeLorenzo gave MVNC a 15-10 victory.

  The second game started well for the Lady Cougars as they took an 8-1 lead behind the hitting and blocking of Testa. Following a Shawnee State point, the lead ballooned to 12-2 as Custer, Seiter, and DeLorenzo each recorded a kill. The Lady Bears scored two more points, but a kill by Amber Rice and blocks by Seiter and Jessica Huffaker helped MVNC take the game 15-4.

  Testa helped the Lady Cougars to a commanding 11-2 lead in the third game as the lone MVNC senior recorded three blocks and a kill during that span. Shawnee State ran off two quick points, but Huffaker responded for MVNC with three blocks to increase the lead to 14-4.

  Then, the Lady Bears scored three straight points to trim the lead to 14-7. However, Seiter ended any thoughts of a comeback with a thundering kill for a 15-7 win.

  Seiter led the team with ten kills and also added three blocks and an ace. Testa finished with a team-high eight blocks and contributed five kills. Widener recorded seven kills, four blocks, and an ace, while DeLorenzo notched six kills and two blocks. Custer and Rice chipped in with five and four kills respectively, and Huffaker added four blocks to the winning effort.

  "I thought that we executed well in this match," said MVNC head coach Paul Swanson. "We had some really good swings at the ball, but they (Shawnee State) played good defense. I was especially pleased with the way that Jessica (Huffaker) and Amber (Rice) came in and contributed to this win."

  The Lady Cougars will not have to wait long for their next chance to extend their home winning streak. MVNC will host Urbana University in another MOC match on Thursday.