Sophomore Megan Nieszala leads Volleyball to day one sweep at the Illinois Wesleyan Tournament

By: Ashley Birchmeier

BLOOMINGTON - The Ohio Northern volleyball team opened day one of the Illinois Wesleyan Tournament with a 2-0 sweep defeating Illinois College 3-0 and Culver-Stockton, Mo. 3-1 Friday evening at the Shirk Center.

The Polar Bears move to 5-1 overall, while Illinois College falls to 3-3 and Culver-Stockton falls to 1-6.

Sophomore Megan Nieszala led the Polar Bears on day one recording a new career high 36 digs in the victory over Culver-Stockton.

In the Polar Bears night cap aganist Culver-Stockton they saw four players record double digit kills.

Seniors Ellie Gillespie, Kaitlann Hogrefe and sophomore Haley Potters all recorded a team-high 12 kills, while junior Claire Heitkamp posted 10. 

In match one aganist Illinois College, Northern won in three sets 25-17, 25-23 and 25-10.

The Polar Bears recorded a new season best .302 hitting percentage led by Gillespie and Hogrefe.

The duo posted a game-high 10 kills a piece, while junior Ashley Borchers added seven. 

Borchers recorded a game-high 34 assists in the victory for ONU.

In the night cap, Ohio Northern won a thrilling four set match over Culver-Stockton 25-18, 33-31, 21-25 and 25-9.

Borchers posted a game-high 51 assists, setting a new season best for the setter.

The Polar Bears return to action Saturday as they take on tournament host Illinois Wesleyan at 10:00 am (ET) and Coe, Iowa at 1:00 pm (ET) in day two of the Illinois Wesleyan Tournament.