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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Marissa Lynch graphic after Chatham win
Marissa Lynch enjoyed a heck of a night with a career-best 17 kills.
3
Winner John Carroll JCU 7-2,0-0 OAC
2
Chatham CHA 4-3,0-0 PAC
Winner
John Carroll JCU
7-2,0-0 OAC
3
Final
2
Chatham CHA
4-3,0-0 PAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
John Carroll JCU 25 18 25 23 15 (3)
Chatham CHA 13 25 12 25 13 (2)

Game Recap: Volleyball | | Danny Gibel, Staff Writer

Volleyball Sneaks Past Chatham in 5-Set Road Thriller

PITTSBURGH - A normal Wednesday commute does not typically include a two-hour-and-fifteen-minute haul down I-76 South, but it did today for the Blue Streaks. 

John Carroll Volleyball's destination was Chatham University, home of the Cougars, which is located just 10 minutes east of downtown Pittsburgh. The Blue Streaks entered the midweek matchup riding a six-game win streak dating back to a 3-0 victory over Fredonia State last Tuesday.

Michele Benoit and the Blue Streaks boarded the bus after the game with their seventh consecutive win in hand, but it was not easy by any means. The Blue Streaks won 3-2, as they took the first, third, and fifth sets by scores of 25-13, 25-12, and 15-13 respectively.  

It was all John Carroll in the first set, as the Blue Streaks dominated in the victory. The two squads were tied at seven apiece before the Blue Streaks went on an 18-6 run to secure the win. 

In the second set, the Cougars had their way with the Blue Streaks, as they gradually opened up a commanding 18-7 lead. While the Blue Streaks did fight back late and cut the deficit down to four, it was too late for a comeback in the second set. 

John Carroll surged back into control in the third set. Benoit's team was in the throes of a back-and-forth battle up until the halfway point of the set where the Blue Streaks led, 14-12. The Blue Streaks then outscored the Cougars down the stretch, 11-0 to take the set in convincing fashion. 

While it may have looked like the Blue Streaks were nearing an early departure from Pittsburgh after the third set, the Cougars were not ready to let the Blue Streaks head home just yet. John Carroll and Chatham traded points throughout the fourth set. Marissa Lynch recorded a kill to put the Blue Streaks ahead 20-16, but they could not hang on as the Cougars clawed their way back into the lead and emerged with the win by a razor-thin margin. 

Whenever it comes down to the fifth and final set, the teams have to take their intensity up a notch, as the scoring only goes up to 15 points. The intensity certainly increased between the Blue Streaks and the Cougars. They exchanged punches all night long, but it was the Blue Streaks who finally delivered the knockout punch in the fifth set. 

Jennifer Follmer notched her 13th kill of the game to put the Blue Streaks up 14-11 and on the brink of victory. The Cougars then attempted one last comeback bid, scoring the next two points, but ultimately surrendered an attack error that gave the Blue Streaks the well-earned win in the fifth set. 

John Carroll got major contributions from Lynch and Maddie Maziarz. Lynch tallied a career-high 17 kills and Maziarz racked up a team-high 24 assists and two aces, along with 17 digs. Lexi MacDonald topped the team with 26 digs. 

Next up for the Blue Streaks is the Allegheny Tournament this Saturday, where they are slated to take on Hiram College at 1 pm and Allegheny College at 3 pm. 
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