Box Score GAMBIER, Ohio – Two evenly-matched squads hit the floor Thursday night in Tomsich Arena to open North Coast Athletic Conference play. The Kenyon College and Ohio Wesleyan University volleyball teams duked it out over five sets with the Ladies ultimately prevailing, 3-2.

With Kenyon (3-7, 1-0 NCAC) and OWU alternating the first four sets, the Ladies looked to run away with the fifth by grabbing a quick, 7-2 lead. The Battling Bishops didn't make it easy on Kenyon, though, twice knotting the score at 8-8 and 10-10. After the second tie, the Ladies regained command and clinched the match when junior Sierra DeLeon pounded down her team-leading 13th kill for a 15-11 decision in the set.

The fifth frame only further illustrated the balance that had been on display all evening. To open the match, the Ladies and Battling Bishops traded the first three sets with identical 25-23 scores. Kenyon claimed the first and third with Ohio Wesleyan triumphing in the second. In fact, the only set without much drama was the fourth, which the Bishops (8-7, 0-1 NCAC) won 25-11 after speeding out to a 13-3 advantage.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Power followed DeLeon on the Ladies' offensive ledger with 11 kills. Junior Mary Jo Scott and freshmanKatie Goulder each had nine. DeLeon and Scott were also among six Kenyon players to deliver a service ace. Sophomore setter Hannah Shank dished out 40 assists to run her season total to 309.

Junior Bella Stachowski again led the defense with 16 digs. Scott and Shank chipped in 13 and 10, respectively, on that side of the net. The Ladies also got great production off the bench from junior Melanie Couchman and freshman McKenzie Mitchell, who each recorded 10 digs and a service ace.

After winning the NCAC opener, Kenyon turns its attention to Saturday's tri-match in Gambier. The Ladies will see conference foe Hiram College at 1 p.m. before tangling with Marietta College at 5 p.m.