"Walsh"

  Last season, the MVNC women's volleyball team became the first team in Mid-Ohio Conference volleyball history to post a perfect 18-0 conference mark as the Lady Cougars won their second straight MOC title.

  However, on Tuesday, Walsh University made sure that the road to another title would not be as smooth as the Lady Cavaliers knocked off MVNC in five games 15-11, 15-3, 12-15, 12-15, 15-13. The loss also snapped the Lady Cougars' 35-match winning streak against conference opponents dating back to 1994.

  The teams battled evenly in the first game as the score reached 11-11. Then, the Lady Cavaliers (7-0, 1-0) scored the last four points to take the game. Walsh continued to play well as they rolled to a lopsided 15-3 victory in the second game.

  The momentum carried over early into the third game as MVNC faced an early 7-2 deficit. However, the Lady Cougars (8-3, 1-1) regrouped and won the game 15-12. They continued their comeback as they took the fourth game 15-12.

  In the decisive rally scoring fifth game, the teams traded points with MVNC taking a 12-10 lead. However, Walsh managed to side out and regained control as the Lady Cavaliers went on to win the game and match 15-13.

  Tara Seiter led the Lady Cougars with 16 kills and five blocks, while Tammy Custer added eight kills and a team-high three aces. Rachel Widener finished with 12 kills, and Courtny Testa contributed five blocks.

  "We played very tentatively in the first two games," said MVNC head coach Paul Swanson. "Then, we regained our composure and showed great character in coming back to force a fifth game. This was a very competitive match between two evenly-matched teams."

  MVNC will return to action on Thursday when the Lady Cougars travel to Tiffin University for another MOC match.