By Chandler Ingle
Sports Information Intern

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — The long bus trip to Mount Vernon, Ohio appeared to take a toll on Goshen early before the Leafs rallied to take down Mount Vernon Nazarene University 3-2 in women's volleyball action Friday evening at MVNU's Ariel Arena.

The Cougars (13-10, 3-6 CL) jumped out to a 25-14 advantage in the first frame by way of a .375 team hitting percentage. Determined to avenge their blowout loss to Bethel College in their previous showing, Goshen (10-11, 3-7) rallied to take the next two stanzas 25-23 and 25-18 before MVNU countered with a 17-25 fourth set victory to send the match to a fifth and deciding set.

Goshen then rode the hot hands of Darriene Maust and Jennifer Ritchie to snag the final tilt 15-11. Maust led the team with 15 kills followed by Ritchie's 13. MVNU's Kristen Osborn led all players with 16. Osborn is the current kill leader in the Crossroads League with 265. Her total also projected the junior to sixth overall in the NAIA. Maust's 15 kills also maintains her name as Goshen's kill leader.

MacKinnon Tracy led all Maple Leafs with 25 digs, three shy of the match-high 28 posted by MVNU's Ashley Gingerich. Maust and Taylor Eash paced GC with five blocks, matching MVNU's Alyson Near.

Neither team struck the ball well as Goshen registered a .194 hitting percentage to the Cougars' .184 mark. Despite the outcome, MVNU totaled five more total points than the visiting Leafs.

Sophomore Ally Roehr added to her team-leading assist totals as Goshen's setter with another solid showing. The Allendale, Michigan product tallied 32 assists while fellow Michigan native Hallie Vanitvelt added 16 assists of her own.

More, including comments from Goshen head coach Jim Routhier, to come when available.