Lady Marauders ground Ashland Eagles in four sets


WILBERFORCE, Ohio - The Central State Lady Marauders defeated the Eagles of Ashland University in four sets on Tuesday night.


After narrowly losing, 27-25, in the first set, CSU took the next three 25-18, 25-21, 25-15.


Freshmen Hailey White and Ajanae' Cressey gave CSU a much needed spark with 5 kills each in the second set. Back-to-back kills by Jazmyne Walker closed out the second set in favor of CSU to tie the match up. Cressey's six kills and Walker's five kills in the third frame helped CSU come back from a 14-8 deficit to take a 25-21 victory and a 2-1 lead. The trio of White, Cressey and Walker led a balanaced offensive attack in the final set as CSU jumped out to an 11-5 lead and eventually cruised to a 25-15 win. 


Walker finished the night with a match-high 17 kills along with six blocks and 11 digs. Cressey had 16 kills while White had 15 kills with an impressive .625 hitting percentage. CSU setter Makayla Alia, who celebrated her 19th birthday on Tuesday, distributed a season-high 49 assists. Alia's 49 assists also set a new school record dating back to when CSU became on NCAA Div. II member.


"Tonight's result really shows that we can play at a high level and compete with anyone," CSU head coach  Ray Lewis says. "I am extremely proud of the team's effort tonight."


With the victory, CSU improves to 12-5 overall. Ashland, who entered Tuesday on a seven-match winning streak, falls to 8-8 overall.


Currently at 8-1 in conference play, CSU will resume SIAC competition this Friday at the SIAC West Division Round-Up in Mobile, Alabama.




NOTES:


- Led by Alia's performance, CSU's 55 total assists on Tuesday set a season-high.


- CSU has earned double-digit victories in a season for the first time as a NCAA Div. II program.


- Tuesday night was CSU's first win over a G-MAC team in the program's history.