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.

The Spartans will now turn their attention toward this weekend's ONU Invitational in Ada, Ohio. CWRU is set to open play at the tournament against host and 23rd-ranked Ohio Northern on Friday at 7:00 p.m., before facing fifth-ranked Calvin and Albion on Saturday.