WILMINGTON, Ohio – The Mount Union women's volleyball team (2-4, 2-4 OAC) swept Wilmington College in an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader to secure their first wins of the season with match one scores of 25-17, 25-22, and 25-16, and match two scores of 25-5, 25-15, and 25-18.

Game One

The Purple Raiders were led by junior Maria Ellesin (Alliance / Marlington) who had 10 kills in the 3-0 sweep followed by freshman Julia Kerns (Eastlake / Eastlake North) who had nine. Sophomore, Mollie Thomas (Massillon / Massillon Perry) led the way with assists as she recorded 21. Defensively the Raiders were led by sophomore libero Alyssa Kasaris (North Royalton) who tallied 15 digs on the match.

The Raiders took the lead and never looked by as they didn't trail during any part of the match. A quick 4-0 run to extend their lead to 22-11 in the first set, and an error by Wilmington secured the 25-15 set one win. In set two, the Raiders went on an early 8-3 lead to force a timeout by Wilmington. The Raiders answered off that timeout with a kill by senior Madelin DiBease (Perry) and forced another Wilmington timeout from back-to-back kills by Ellesin to extend the lead to 16-8. Wilmington began to creep back, but the Raiders were able to secure the 25-22 win off a setting error by Wilmington. In the third set, the Raiders rallied 9-2 forcing another Wilmington timeout off a kill by freshman Maddie Wentz (Copley / Akron Hoban). The Raiders continued their dominant offense as they secured the sweep off a kill by DiBease to end the match 25-16.

Game Two

The Raiders were again led offensively by Ellesin as she recorded 12 kills and two blocks in the second match. Thomas repeated her 21 assists, and defensively Kasaris tallied 15 digs as the Raiders rallied to complete the sweep at Wilmington.

Mount Union made a statement in the first set as they went on a 12-0 run to spark the match. The Raider offense was unstoppable as they held Wilmington to only five points in the first set, and secured the win off a kill by DiBease 25-5. In set two, Wilmington found their first lead of the night at 8-7, however, the Raiders were able to spark some offense to tie it back up 14-14 off a kill by DiBease and never looked back as they captured the win 25-15. In set three, the Raiders silenced Wilmington finding space on the floor with four straight kills to go up 19-11. Sophomore Isabella Sprunger (North Royalton) ended the match 25-18 on a kill set by fellow sophomore Katie May (Independence).

Mount Union will return home from their road trip as they host Muskingum for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 23 with games slated to begin at 6 and 8 pm.