From Case Western Reserve University Athletics

The Case Western Reserve University volleyball team defeated crosstown rival Baldwin Wallace University 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 25-12) on Wednesday night in Berea, Ohio.

The Spartans, who received votes in this week's AVCA Coaches' Poll, improved to 8-1 overall on the season, marking the second-straight year that CWRU has won eight of its first nine matches. The Yellow Jackets fell to 4-4 for the season with the loss.

Senior Jennifer Ngo hit .353 for the match and led the team with nine kills, while adding on a season-high four service aces and two blocks. Junior Rea Marfatia added nine kills as well, while pacing the squad with 14 digs. Junior Chloe Maciejewski recorded a season-high eight kills during the contest and senior Ansley Yamaato registered a team-leading 17 assists.

With the first set tied at 3-3, the Spartans rallied for five-straight points to go ahead 8-3. CWRU's lead grew to as many as seven points in the set, but Baldwin Wallace rallied to get back within a point at 18-17. However, CWRU followed with four-straight to take a 22-17 lead before closing out the set 25-23 on a kill by Maciejewski.

The Spartans scored the first four points of the second set and went on to hit a match-high .333 for the frame, en route to a 25-15 to take a 2-0 lead. Trailing 8-9 in the third set, Marfatia registered a block to even the score and then served on an 11-point rally to give the Spartans a 19-9 lead. Ahead 24-13, the Spartans withstood a last rally by Baldwin Wallace to win the set 25-21 and secure the match victory.

CWRU outhit Baldwin Wallace .228 to.156 for the match.