ADA, Ohio – The Mount Union women's volleyball team fell to #18 Ohio Northern in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinals in three sets on Thursday night at the ONU Sports Center.

The Purple Raiders (25-5) went 19-25, 17-25, 22-25 against the nationally ranked Polar Bears (27-4). The Raiders were led on offense by senior Brooke Knollman (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) who had 11 kills, followed by sophomore Marlee Peck's (Homeworth/Marlington) career-high nine kills. Senior setter Riley Schenk (Lorain/Amherst Steele) supplied 34 assists for the Raiders.

Protecting the net, with a career high of 10 blocks was junior Kyleigh Jackson (Galloway/Westland). Junior libero Allison Baird (North Royalton/North Royalton) had 15 of the 44 Mount Union digs. 

During the first set, Mount Union was down by three early and throughout. After taking a brief lead, a four point run by the Bears allowed them to go for the win at 25-19.

Going point-for-point through 11, Ohio Northern never let Mount Union get ahead by more than one in the second set. After another rally, the Bears would get up and running and take the second set 25-17.

The Raiders struck first in the final set to get things statred with a 5-0 lead, forcing the Bears to take their very first timeout of the match. With Mount Union leading 13-10, Ohio Northern came stroming back with a 14-point swing. The run was stopped by a crucial kill from Knollman, assisted by freshman Kylie Malone (Wooster/Triway). A hard fought set ended with a Polar Bear victory of 25-22.

With hopes of extending their season, the Mount Union women's volleyball team will wait on the results of the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Selection Show. The selection show will air on Monday, November 6th at 12:30 pm at NCAA.com.