BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Old Dominion volleyball team lost in three sets to No. 18 WKU in a Conference USA clash on Friday evening.
Alessia Sgherza led the way of the Monarchs (11-13, 3-7 C-USA), totaling eight kills, seven digs and three blocks (one solo, two assists). Hailey Duncan had six kills and three digs, and Teresa Atilano notched five kills, seven digs and 21 assists.
ODU hit .259 as a team in the first set, a 25-18 loss. The Monarchs hung tough with the Hilltoppers (21-1, 10-0), and the two sides were tied at 8-8. A kill from Olivia De Jesus followed by a WKU ball handling error pulled ODU to within a point at 15-14, but WKU answered with 4-0 run to gain separation. Twice the Monarchs got to within three points late in the set, but the Hilltoppers took five of the last six points to finish off the set.
The hosts led wire-to-wire in the second set, winning it 25-15. Old Dominion was down just two points at 8-6 before WKU broke off a 9-2 run. ODU responded with four straight to make it 17-12, but it would be the last run of the set from the Monarchs.
The Monarchs led by as many as three in the third set, but WKU pulled away for another 25-15 set win to seal the match. ODU took its first lead of the set at 4-3 off a combined block from De Jesus and Sgherza. An ensuing 5-1 run gave the Monarchs an 11-8 advantage, but the Hilltoppers soon regained the lead with a 5-1 run of their own. ODU tied up the score once more at 14-14, but WKU finished the set on an 11-1 to clinch the match.
Old Dominion closes out the regular season with two home matches against Middle Tennessee next Friday (Nov. 5) and Saturday (Nov. 6).
Volleyball Loses 3-0 at No. 18 WKU
