Freshman Michaela Sharlow and sophomore Megan Nieszala lead No. 22-ranked Volleyball to three set victory
By: Ashley Birchmeier
ADA — The No. 22-ranked Ohio Northern volleyball team moves to 4-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference and extends its winning streak to 11 matches as they defeat Otterbein in three sets 25-15, 25-22 and 25-14 Tuesday evening at the ONU Sports Center.
The Polar Bears improve to 18-4 overall, 4-0 OAC, while Otterbein falls to 10-12, 1-3.
Northern was led in the contest by freshman Michaela Sharlow and sophomore Megan Nieszala.
Sharlow recorded a game-high four aces, while Niezala added a game-high 24 digs.
Junior Ashley Borchers led the attack for Northern, hitting a game-high .400, while also dishing out a game-high 22 assists.
In set 1, the Polar Bears dominated as Sharlow recorded three aces in a row to extend the Northern lead to 10-4.
Following an Otterbein miscue and a kill from Borchers, ONU was able to claim the set 1, 25-15, victory.
Otterbein took an 18-13 advantage in set 2 but the Polar Bears battled back as a kill from junior Claire Heitkamp and a service ace from sophomore Brenna Dee would pull ONU within 17-18.
Northern would close out set 2 on a 7-1 run, winning the set 25-22.
In set 3, Nieszala dominated from behind the service line guiding Northern to an early 9-0 advantage.
The Polar Bears never looked back as senior Ellie Gillespie recorded her fifth kill of the contest to seal the set 3, 25-14 victory.
ONU recorded nine service aces in the contest to the Cardinals two.
The Polar Bears return to action Saturday as they travel to Capital at 1 pm.
