The College of Wooster volleyball team dropped a straight-set match to Denison University by a score of 25-20, 25-17, 25-20 in North Coast Athletic Conference action inside Livingston Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
 
Despite a pair of 4-0 and 6-0 runs from Denison (10-14, 2-3 NCAC) early in the first set, Wooster (5-17, 1-4 NCAC) remained calm and chipped away at the Big Red lead little by little. First it was the defense helping to force Denison into a string of errors, then the block got going led by junior Kora Burill. First-year Ireland Oswick put down a kill to bring the Scots within two points late at 20-18. Wooster then got bit by the error bug itself as Denison pulled away with the first set.
 
The second set found both teams trading runs starting with the Big Red yet again to open the frame. A solo stuff from junior Jordan Laraway and a Burill service ace were highlights of the Scots' first 3-0 run. Then, first-year Erin Ellis got in on the action with a kill as part of another 3-0 run. A 7-0 Denison run almost put the second set out of Wooster's reach, but the Scots did not back down and answered with their own 4-0 run to climb back within five points.
 
Wooster flipped the script in the third set, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead, thanks to two service aces from sophomore Catherine Muzilla. The Scots remained in striking distance, thanks to a huge effort from Burill, as she brought Wooster within two at 21-19. The Big Red service pressure proved to be too much to overcome as they went on a 4-1 run to close the match.
 
Senior Izzy Cozzie led the offense with four kills. Burrill had an all-around effort of two kills, three aces and five blocks. Ellis put up eight assists while Muzilla posted 12 digs to lead the Scot defense.
 
Denison had a balanced offensive attack which was led by juniors Ayla Dunbar and Maeve Perry with nine kills apiece. Senior Alice Kempf had a double-double of 20 assists and 12 digs. Junior Katelyn Chiu matched Kempf with 12 digs. Senior Sadie Habeeb had the match-high of 17 digs.
 
Wooster's serve and block were two bright spots on the afternoon with seven service aces and eight total blocks. However, Denison held a distinct advantage on offense with 41 kills and 40 assists to the Scots' 16 kills and 12 assists.
 
Wooster returns home after a lengthy road trip to take on Wittenberg University (14-7, 5-0 NCAC) on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. inside Timken Gymnasium.