Oberlin, Ohio – Jillian Hostetler and Dana Thomas combined for 42 kills, but it wasn't enough as the visiting Allegheny College Gators spoiled the home finale for the Oberlin College volleyball team, outlasting the Yeowomen in five sets.
 
After dropping the first game 25-21, Oberlin regrouped to take the next two sets by the scores of 25-18 and 25-22. However, the Gators would fend off a late charge in the fourth to win 25-22 before taking the decisive fifth game 16-14.
 
The Yeowomen out-hit the Gators .266 to .221, finishing with 78 kills compared to their 55. However, it was the Yeowomen's strength that turned into a weakness on this night. One of the best serving teams in the NCAC, Oberlin committed a season-high 14 service errors.
 
The match was nip-and-tuck throughout with 24 ties and nine lead changes. The fifth set alone featured eight ties.
 
Meredith Leung had the offense in tune as she registered a career-high 65 assists to go along with 16 digs and five kills. Thomas hit an impressive .472, getting her 20 kills on 36 swings. Hostetler sent down 22 balls on 44 attempts, hitting .364 on the night.
 
After falling in the first set, Oberlin came out with a renewed sense of energy in the second, opening up a 12-5 lead en route to a convincing win to even the match.
 
The Yeowomen's journey in the third was a lot tougher as no more than two points separated the teams for most of the way. It was tied 22-22, but three straight kills by Hostetler, Leung and Ave Spencer finished the job. Spencer ended the match with 14 kills.
 
Oberlin dug itself a big hole in the fourth as the Gators built up a 20-13 lead and fended off a late Yeowomen charge. Oberlin trailed 23-20 and would get within two, 24-22, on send downs by Sara Chang and Thomas, but Justine Kelly would ultimately give the Gators the point.
 
Oberlin had its chances in the fifth, hitting .524 in the set with 12 kills and one error. However, four service errors loomed large. The Yeowomen battled from two points down to tie it at 14-14, but back-to-back kills from Allegheny ended the match.
 
Allegheny moved to 15-8 overall while the Yeowomen dropped to 7-13. Both teams are now 2-4 in the NCAC.
 
The Yeowomen will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to No. 6 Wittenberg. The first serve is set for 1 p.m.