New Concord, Ohio: The Denison Big Red volleyball team traveled to Muskingum University to take on their sixth OAC opponent of the year. Coming off a two-win Saturday, the Big Red fell to the Muskies in a 3-1 decision.

Up Next: The Big Red will return to Livingston Gymnasium on Saturday to kick off NCAC action against the Wittenberg Tigers.

 

Match 1 (Denison 1, Muskingum 3) (17-25, 23-25, 25-22, 23-25)

The first set got off to a hot start with both teams trading the lead back and forth. Knotted up at 10 all, the Fighting Muskies went on a 7-0 run to take a strong lead heading into the final moments. The duo of Devon Moore and Maeve Perry kept the Big Red in the hunt, going on a five-point run of their own. The Denison momentum would be snuffed as Muskingum closed out the first set in a 17-25 victory.

The second set got off to a very different start. The Big Red were able to jump out to a commanding lead early, catalyzed by an ace from Ryan Kotalik and kills from Devon Moore, Maeve Perry, and Alice Kempf. The Muskies were not without a fight, rallying back to tie the set up at 16. Muskingum charged their momentum and was just one point away from winning the set. The Big Red, with their backs against the wall, were able to bring the set to 23-24, but ultimately the push was not enough as the home team took a 2-0 match lead.

Facing a loss, the Big Red came into the third set on fire. With an early lead, the Big Red left their greatest mark following back-to-back aces by Kate Sicklick. With the set moving in their direction, Denison was able to capitalize on a multitude of errors by the Muskies. The set was finalized by a Maeve Perry kill.

In the fourth and final set, the Big Red put together a valiant effort to send the match into a tiebreaker set, but were not able to close it out. Muskingum won a tight fourth set with a score of 25-23.

  Claire Hamilton, Maeve Perry, and Devon Moore led the Big Red in kills with 16, 14, and 10, respectively. Perry hit .265 on the night. Alice Kempf continued her stellar performance in the assist column, grabbing 31 in the match. Ryan Kotalik led the Big Red with 23 digs.