RIO GRANDE, OH - The volleyball team came away with two wins and two losses after a four-game weekend at the Emileigh Jo Cooper Memorial Classic in Rio Grande, OH. The Trailblazers are now 5-4 as they prepare to open conference play next week. 

Rylee Barr was in great form for the Trailblazers, averaging 42.5 assists per game with two double-doubles on the weekend.

The opening game went to Bluefield University in a 3-1 battle, with all three of the last sets being won by a two-point margin. Bluefield won the first set comfortably before Ohio Christian battled back and forced them to scores of 24-26, 25-23, 31-29. Madison Blickenstaff had 18 kills and a .220 hitting percentage and Morgan Blakeman had ten kills. Barr opened her impressive weekend with a double-double of 41 assists and 12 digs. 

The Trailblazers got their first win of the weekend over West Virginia Tech 3-1 (25-16, 30-28, 25-20, 25-15). Morgan Blakeman had a massive 20 kills on 53 attempts for a .204 hitting percentage. Blickenstaff and Alexa Mader both had 14 kills in the win. Sophie Coleman had 23 digs. Barr had a season-high 50 assists in the win. 

The matchup with Union College was the two team's second meeting of the season and their second sweep by scores of 25-22, 25-18, 25-22. Blickenstaff had 19 kills with a .412 hitting percentage and Barr had 37 assists. 

New conference member Shawnee State got the win over the Trailblazers 3-1 (25-20, 25-27, 15-25, 23-25) in their last game of the weekend. Blickenstaff, Mader and Blakeman had 12, 11 and 11 kills respectively. Barr had 42 assists and nine digs. 

The Trailblazers host a tri-match with Rochester University and the University of the Cumberlands this Saturday, September 9^th at 1 and 5 p.m. in their last two games before conference play begins. 

To keep up with the volleyball program and the rest of Ohio Christian athletics, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.