Oberlin, OH – Alma College Volleyball took to the road on Friday for day one of the Oberlin College Volleyball Tournament. The Scots were felled in both matches, dropping games to Wooster, and the hosts in Oberlin.
 
Wooster 3, Alma 2
 
The Scots' first game of the evening was a nailbiter against The College of Wooster. Alma was flat coming out of the gates in the opening set, and Wooster quickly racked up points en route to a 20-7 lead, which eventually turned to a 25-12 set win. Alma refused to just roll over, taking the next two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-23. However, Wooster was able to battle back from an early 5-1 Scots advantage to take the set and force a decisive 5^th set. The Fighting Scots jumped on another slow start from the Scots, putting Alma in a 4-0 hole that the Scots just couldn't recover from, dropping the final set 15-7.
 
Nevea Bush led the offense with 13 kills in the loss. Reagan Thorr added 6 kills, and Madison Bott and Callie Smith each tallied 5. Vicky Villarosa recorded 19 set assists, with Reagan Gleason adding 11. Thorr was Alma's top contributor from the service line, landing 3 aces.
 
Defensively, Madison Munley led the way with 2.5 total blocks in the contest. Grace Steiner contributed a team high 17 digs.
 
Oberlin 3, Alma 1
 
Alma's second game was against the host team, Oberlin College. The hosts opened the game with a solid start, putting Alma down 4-1 off the bat. The Scots were able to pull within 2 points on a few occasions, but ultimately dropped the opening set, 25-16. The second set was much more competitive, with neither team leading by more than 3 throughout. The second frame needed extra points, but it was Oberlin who had the last effort, eeking out a 28-26 win. With their backs against the wall, Alma was able to rally from 6-1 down and lead 23-16 in the third before having to hang on as an Oberlin run nearly tied the set. Alma held on to claim a 25-23 set win, and force a fourth set. Things got off to a decent start for both sides in the fourth set, but midway through an 8-3 run by the hosts proved to be the difference, as the Scots dropped the set 25-23, and the match 3-1.
 
Bush once again led Alma attackers with 11 kills to go with 5 assisted blocks. Madison Stevenson also starred, earning 9 kills, 1 ace, and 7 digs. Villarosa (17) paired with Olivia Deeb (10) to collect 27 assists at setter. Steiner once again was stellar defensively, snagging 20 digs. Villarosa added 11, and Madison Bott 10.
 
The Scots are back in action tomorrow against Grove City College.