RICHMOND, Ky. – Behind the strength of a match-high 19 kills and a career-best 12 digs, senior outside hitter
Olivia Lohmeier recorded her fourth-career double-double to lead Morehead State volleyball to a four-set victory over in-state rival Eastern Kentucky.
Entering the match leading the Ohio Valley Conference in points per set (5.04), Lohmeier proved her ranking by posting a match and season-best 23.0 points—nearly half of Eastern Kentucky's team total (50.0). She posted a season-high-tying 19 kills in the match while adding a season-high six total blocks, including a career-high-tying two solo blocks in Sunday's match.
Lohmeier completed the stellar afternoon by scooping up a career-high 12 digs, seven of which were dug up in the fourth and final frame, to post her first double-double since Oct. 5, 2019.
Joining Lohmeier with double-figure kill totals were sophomore right-side hitter
Abby Hulsman and senior outside hitter
Lauren Rokey who added 11 and 10 kills, respectively. The trio combined for 40 total kills, a total that nearly equaled the Colonels 44 team kills.
Four Eagles finished the match hitting .300 or better, paced by middle blockers, junior
Mia Swearingen (8-2-14) and redshirt freshman
McKenzee Wagener (5-0-13) who posted efficiencies of .429 and .385, respectively.
Sophomore setter
Bridget Bessler led the Eagles to a .239 team hitting percentage, passing out a season-best 49 assists, surpassing 40 assists in a match for the third time this season.
For the third time this season, Morehead State finished a match with four players reaching double-digit digs with junior libero
Allison Whitten pacing the way with a season-high 22 digs. Defensive specialists, redshirt junior
Taylor Hodges and junior
Olivia Montelisciani, along with Lohmeier each chipped in 10 or more digs, digging 10, 11, and 12 balls, respectively.
The Eagles were also stout at the net, collecting 10 total blocks in the match as five players finished the match with a block, including four who tallied three or more total blocks. Lohmeier led the group with six total blocks while Swearingen finished just behind with four blocks.
Morehead State also dropped in a pair of service aces with Bessler and Hulsman landing the winners. The ace for Hulsman is the second of her career, having landed one in each of the past two series openers.
The Eagles and Colonels conclude their series tomorrow evening at McBrayer Arena in Richmond, Ky. First serve is slated for 6 p.m. ET.
