University of Findlay

Findlay, Ohio- The University of Findlay volleyball team earned a 3-0 sweep (25-21, 25-14, 25-20) over the Pioneers of Malone University on Friday, Oct. 23 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play at the Croy Physical Education Center. With the win, Findlay improves to 13-8 overall and 8-2 in conference play, while Malone falls to 4-18 overall and 2-8 in the G-MAC on the year.

The Pioneers jumped out to an early 10-6 lead in the opening set before Findlay fought back to tie the score at 13-13. The Oilers then took control with a 5-0 run, fueled by a service ace from senior Kirsten Bomholt and kills from junior Lilly Barhorst and senior Abria Lomax, to build an 18-13 advantage. Malone pulled within one at 22-21, but Findlay closed out the set with three straight points, securing a 25-21 set win on a solo block by sophomore Victoria Mescher.

Findlay came out strong in the second set, building a 10-4 lead behind kills from junior Stephanie Smith and a service ace from sophomore Ragan Greeneisen. Leading 17-13, the Oilers dominated down the stretch, closing on an 8-1 run to extend their lead to 24-13 before a combined block from Lomax and Barhorst ended a 25-14 set victory to put Findlay ahead 2-0 in the match.

Malone took a 9-5 lead in the final set before the Oilers responded with a 5-0 run, highlighted by three kills from Mescher, to regain a 10-9 advantage. Findlay maintained that level of play, stretching its lead to 21-15 following a service ace from freshman Claire Schoenberger and a block from Mescher and Barhorst.

The Pioneers saved two match points late, but senior Lauren Foerster delivered the match-clinching kill to secure a 25-20 victory and complete the sweep.

As a team, the Oilers hit .241 while holding the Pioneers to just .087.

Smith led Findlay with 13 kills while hitting .290, adding four digs, a block, and a service ace. Senior Hannah Miller followed with eight kills while adding a match-high 17 digs and an ace.   Foerster and Mescher each recorded seven kills, with Mescher hitting an efficient .545 on 11 total attacks.  

Seniors Zoya Winkelfoos and Kirsten Bomholt guided the Oiler offense, combining for 38 assists, with Winkelfoos recording a team-high 23 assists and Bomholt adding 15.

Defensively, Schoenberger anchored the back row alongside Miller with 14 digs. At the net, Mescher paced the Oilers with five blocks, including two solo stops, while Barhorst added two blocks.  

Findlay is back on the court tomorrow, Oct. 24 with a Senior Day battle with Walsh University. That contest will begin at 5:00 pm.