UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – The Wilmington College volleyball team concluded its 2018 season with a four-set victory Saturday over John Carroll University, 25-20, 25-22, 13-25, 25-23.

The victory marked the second consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference victory for Wilmington after the program snapped a 59-match conference losing streak earlier this week. Despite finishing in a three-way tie for seventh place, Wilmington missed qualifying for the eight-team OAC tournament on tiebreakers.

“Obviously, we would have loved to make the conference tournament,” WC coach Tim O’Brien said. “All in all, I’m happy with the progression of our team this year.”

Wilmington concludes its 2018 season with a 9-19 overall record, the program’s best since the 2011 season. The Quakers also won two OAC matches, equaling the number the program has won the previous 18 seasons.

Wilmington held JCU to a negative attack percentage in the set one win. In set two, the Quakers overcame an early 7-3 deficit to go up 2-0 thanks to a long service run from Jacie Koontz.

After WC dropped set three, the two teams were tied 20-20 in set four until two Blue Streak attack errors gave the Quakers a 22-20 lead. JCU pulled within a single point on three different occasions, but the teams traded side outs and an attack error gave Wilmington an OAC road victory.

Individually, Wilmington had 10 kills by Jillian Wesco and seven from Karrah Wind. Summer Wilbur and Koontz combined for 26 assists for the Quakers.

Defensively, Wilbur, Karley Schlensker and Taylor McCuistion all recorded double digits in digs for Wilmington.

“I thought we played well, especially defensively,” said O’Brien. “After losing the third set, we responded with one of the best offensive performances of the season.”