(ALLIANCE, OH)-- Mount Union knocked off No. 5 in nation Ohio Northern 3-2 (20-25, 25-20, 25-17, 18-25, 16-14) to take sole possession of second place in the Ohio Athletic Conference Saturday at The McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex in Alliance.

The win moved the Raiders to 19-4 overall, extended their home winning streak to 24 matches and at 6-1 in the OAC stayed in the race for conference title.

Ohio Northern suffered its first loss to Mount Union since a 3-2 defeat in the 1999 OAC Tournament and fell to 22-3 overall and 5-2 in the conference.

Junior outside hitter Leah Hirsch (Frankfort/Adena) had a career-high 15 kills, fellow junior Katie Kmieck (Lakewood/Lakewood) tallied 45 assists and senior Melissa Mahnke (North Royalton/North Royalton) 36 digs to lead the Purple Raiders.

Mount Union closes out the regular season pair of matches next week.  The Raiders travel Tuesday to John Carroll for a match at 7 pm that will be televised via tape delay on SportsTime Ohio at 10 pm.  Mount Union will then host first place Heidelberg Saturday at 1 pm at The MAAC in the regular season finale.