The Battling Bishops Volleyball team started their 2024 campaign with a trip to Puerto Rico where they competed against four other Division III universities in the Puerto Rico Clasico Tournament.
Ohio Wesleyan went 2-1 over the three-game weekend, taking down Widener and Rowan on Saturday, August 31 before falling to North Park on Sunday, September 1.
“I had a blast playing in Puerto Rico,” said junior volleyball team member Bella Guzzetta. “This team is so special and I can’t wait to see all the amazing things we can do and accomplish.”
The team started their tournament with a sweep over Widener, easily winning the sets 25-17, 25-10, and 25-20. After starting the set strong with a service ace, there was no slowing down the Bishops who never let Widener get closer than three points. A stretch of five straight points only propelled the team's lead, settling them at 17-11. Dieball ended the first set with a back-to-back kill and ace Photo Credit to Puerto Rico Clasico Tournament to win it.
Set two followed in a similar fashion with the Bishops scoring five straight off the bat. Widener stood no chance against Ohio Wesleyan as they took an eight-point lead which they held onto. A massive eight-point run ended the second set, with only one more for the Bishops to complete the sweep.
A successful third set had close calls with the teams being tied once and within easy reach on other occasions. The Bishops were able to score four straight to help them rally for the win which they easily took over Widener.
Dieball led the charge with 13 kills, Megan Lantis followed with nine, and Lily Bechina added six in the win. Bechina was crucial for the team not just in kills but assists, tallying 30 out of the 40 assists the team collected.
Game two of the trip started strong with the Bishops going up two sets over Rowan University but, Rowan was able to battle back to force a fifth set.
The first set was kept close but a kill by Bechina sparked a five-point run which ended in a service ace by Avery Krause and secured the 25-18 win. Set two against Rowan showcased a dominant Ohio Wesleyan team that built up a 12-2 lead. Rowan tried to battle back but the Bishops continued to push on securing the second set by 11 points.
Sets three and four fell apart for Ohio Wesleyan with a series of attacking and ball-handling errors giving Rowan points that allowed them to race ahead. Although the four sets started close, with both teams trading points, a nine-point unanswered run by Rowan was enough for them to take a confident lead. The Bishops were able to take back six points but it wasn’t enough to secure the set as they fell, 25-18.
It all came down to a final fifth set which stayed close through all fifteen points. A kill by Claire Solberg, Ava Kuteilk, and Dieball started the scoring with a five-point advantage going toward the Bishops. After a bit more back and forth, a kill from Dieball sealed the deal with a 15-11 set to win the match. Being tied
Dieball was an important piece of the puzzle for the team, leading with 24 kills and 4 service aces. Bechina dished out 43 assists and Bella Guzzetta had 19 digs.
To cap off the tournament the Bishops took on North Park University who they battled with for five sets. The two teams traded sets with Ohio Wesleyan winning the first, 25-16, and the third 27-25, while North Park won the second, 25-20, and fourth 25-23.
It all came down to the fifth set where North Park was able to take a quick lead that the Bishops were unable to catch up to, losing 9-15.
“We work hard on and off the court and I can’t wait to see us succeed. This team has such a great culture and high work ethic that I know we will go far. Our goal is to be the NCAC champions this year!” said Guzzetta.
Although they ended the weekend with a loss to North Park University the Bishops have a lot to be proud of in their opening tournament. They return to the court in the NCAC/MIAA Crossover this weekend, starting against Albion on September 6 at 4 p.m.
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