ALLIANCE, Ohio -- The Mount Union women's volleyball team dropped an Ohio Athletic Conference match to Muskingum (19-3, 3-1 OAC) in straight sets Tuesday evening from the McPhearson Academic and Athletic Complex.

The Purple Raiders (19-3, 2-2 OAC) were led by sophomore outside hitter Madelin DiBease (Perry/Perry) as she tabbed 17 kills, topping her season-best from last week. Most of DiBease's kills came off junior setter Carly Stepic (Cleveland/Holy Name). Stepic led the team with 38 assists on the squad's 41 kills.

A collection of defensive specialists chipped in for digs with junior Megan Donegan (Dublin/Dublin Coffman) leading the way with 14. Just behind her were liberos Allison Baird (North Royalton/North Royalton) and Kylie Malone (Wooster/Triway) with 11 a piece, Malone reaching a career-high, while DiBease registered 10. 

Muskingum was led by Brooke Fatheree's 17 kills and 11 digs.

In the first set, Mount Union and Muskingum went point for point until a 12-4 Muskingum run put Mount Union behind 18-10. With DiBease serving, the Raiders were able to cut the deficit to 18-16, looking to close in. However, Muskingum would only let Mount Union get as close as 24-23 before an attack error would end the set in favor of the Muskies, 25-23.

With a similar start to the second set, the two teams would rally back and forth. Staying tied through 17 points a piece, Muskingum managed to find all the right spots at the net and on the floor, eventually advancing their lead to 23-19 before taking the second set 25-19.

Third and final set, the Raiders began with a 7-4 lead until Muskingum strung together a series of short runs to edge out Mount Union and take their largest lead of 20-14. Trying to chip away, Mount Union would get within two points, only trailing 23-21, but back-to-back blocks by Muskingum's Brynn Guist finished off the set at 25-21.

With five matches remaining, Mount Union will stay at home and host Capital on Saturday, October 13 at 1:00 p.m.