MOUNT UNION - Momentum shifts took center stage Tuesday night as a pair of Inter-County Conference rivals met up in a conference showdown when Mount Union hosted Juniata Valley in volleyball action.
After notching an opening game win, the Trojans then faced elimination dropping the next two before finally notching the series at two games each, forcing a winner take all fifth game.
Despite taking it to the fifth game, it would be the Hornets that would take the match on this night, winning the final game 15-6 and taking a 3-2 win over the Trojans.
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Sentinel photo by BRADLEY KREITZER
Mount Union’s Kristin Miles, left, spikes the ball over Juniata Valley’s Ashlee Dick Tuesday evening in Mount Union. The Trojans lost 3-2.?See more photos online at cu.lewistownsentinel.com.
Highlighting the night was a battle of the big hitters as Mount Union's Kristin Miles and Juniata Valley's Abbie Zinobile put on a spiking clinic, dominating the front line and giving their teams crucial points when it was needed.
Miles finished with a total of 20 kills as well as clutch service points in the loss. Zinobile was almost as successful but also added numerous lobs, dinks, and cross-court winners for her team.
"Usually when we play Juniata Valley it really doesn't matter what the records are. Its usually always a game like this. We turn it on. We're like hot and cold," Mount Union coach Tessa McCormick said. "Whoever has the serve, we get some service points and the other team gets a little cold then its back and forth the entire time and they obviously wanted it more than we did tonight. Our passing fell apart quite a few times tonight and as a result we gave all kinds of free balls and easy balls to play so their offense was already set up."
Fact Box
r Mount Union hosts Moshannon Valley Thursday
When the Trojans look back at the contest, they might circle game two as the one that got away.
Mount Union came out blazing hot to start the contest, rolling to a 10-2 advantage before the Hornets battled their way back to tie it at 20.
From there, the two battled back and forth until the Hornets outlasted the Trojans in a 28-26 decision.
However, after losing the third game 25-19, the Trojans found their backs against the wall and came out fighting.
Ashlyn Drake came up big for Mount Union, scoring a run of five in a row to extend a 12-9 lead to a 17-9 advantage.
After numerous side outs and a service point by the Trojans' Abigail Grove, teammate Marissa Dimoff finished off the contest, collecting the final three points en route to the 25-13 victory.
However, the Hornets offense came out in the final game, stinging the Trojans 15-6.
In the opening game, the two teams combined for 25 total side outs as the Trojans took an early 1-0 lead.
Mount Union will try to rebound Thursday as it hosts Moshannon Valley.
