BOX SCORE COLUMBUS, Ohio - Homestanding Capital withstood a stiff test from Albion to win the first match of the Capital Volleyball Opener, 3-2 (25-23, 18-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-11) on Friday afternoon. CU returns to the court as Head Coach Pam Briggs looks for her 350th career win later on Friday night. Capital takes on Hanover at approximately 7:00 p.m.
The Crusaders used some solid defense while holding the Britons to a .092 team hitting percentage. Four players reached double figures in digs led by senior Sara Doebel (Clyde, Ohio/Clyde HS) who finished with 27 to go along with a team-best four service aces.
Classmate Jenna Zumberger (DeGraff, Ohio/Fairlawn HS) followed with 20 digs, 45 assists and four kills while pacing a Capital offensive attack that hit .405 in the fifth and deciding set.
Sophomore Lauren Gauvreau (Grafton, Ohio/Midview HS) had 13 digs while fellow sophomore Courtney Diller (Columbus Grove, Ohio/Columbus Grove HS) added 12 to go along with three blocks.
Senior Allison Hostetler (Dalton, Ohio/Dalton HS) led the CU offensive efforts with 16 kills while hitting at a .292 clip and racking up a team-best five blocks.
Fellow seniors Sarah Gallik (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston HS) and Jennifer Fekpe (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson HS) followed with 14 and 10 kills respectively for the Crusaders. Gallik added eight digs while Fekpe tallied a .421 hitting percentage in a winning effort.
Freshmen Shannon Quinn (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg HS) and Leanne Schaefer (Verona, Wis./Verona HS) each made their collegiate debut at the Capital Center on Friday. Quinn played in all five sets while racking up nine digs and one service ace. Schaefer played one point in the fourth set.