CLEVELAND, Ohio - Mount Union's women's volleyball team defeated non-conference opponent Case Western Reserve (3-4) in a five-set match, 3-2, Wednesday night in Cleveland. 

Leading the offense for the Purple Raiders (8-2) was sophomore Maria Ellesin (Alliance / Marlington) with a career-high 16 kills. Most of Ellesin's kill came off assists from freshman Mollie Thomas (Massillon) who also recorded a career-high 38 assists. 

Defending for Mount Union was freshman Alyssa Kasaris (North Royalton) who tied her career-high with 27 digs. 

To start the first set, Mount Union struck first with a kill by Ellesin. The Spartans kept the match, close keeping the set within two points until senior Bethany Matuska (Pickerington / Bishop Hartley) and junior Madelin DiBease (Perry) recorded a block at net making the score 14-11. Mount Union ran away with the set 25-20 never letting the score back within five points. 

As history would repeat itself, the Raiders and Case Western Reserve kept the match close in the beginning. After the Spartans led 9-7, they went on a 5-0 run making the score 14-7. Although the Raiders fought back, they would never regain the lead, losing this set 25-21. 

Set three, Mount Union started off strong with a kill from senior Marlee Peck (Homeworth / Marlington). After being tied up 7-7, the Raiders went on an 8-3 run with kills from Peck, Ellesin, and junior Breanna Arnett. The Spartans never recovered, Mount Union won 25-20.

The Raiders started the fourth set with a 6-3 lead. Case Western Reserve fought back with and 8-4 run regaining the lead 11-9. After six ties and five lead changes, the Spartans won the set 25-23. 

With a 4-4 tie to start the fifth set, Mount Union and Case Western Reseve went point for point keeping the score tied 8-8. Mount Union started to pull away with kills from Ellesin, Peck and Arnett making the score 14-11. The Spartans fought back tying the score back up 14-14. The Raiders responded with two more kills, winning the final match 16-14

Mount Union continues play this weekend at the Carnegie Mellon Double Tree Invitational beginning Friday, September 13 with a match against Washington and Jefferson (Pa.) at 6:00 p.m. in Pittsburgh, Pa.