November 14, 2012 – Tried as they might, the Chargers were unable to advance in the GLIAC Tournament for the first time in four years.
Despite stretches of tough, valiant play, the Hillsdale College volleyball team was eliminated in the first round of this year's conference tournament, 3-0, by Grand Valley State University Wednesday night in Allendale. The Chargers are now 15-15 on the season and must await their postseason fate late Sunday night during the NCAA Division II Tournament Selection show, scheduled to be webcast on ncaa.com.
The Lakers won a razor-close first set 25-23, then clearly outplayed Hillsdale en route to a 25-15 win in set two. The third set was extremely competitive, as both teams took turns making scoring runs. But a service ace by the Lakers when the score was 21-20 proved to be a turning point, as GVSU scored four of the set's final five points, winning 25-21.
Shockingly, Hillsdale was held without a solo block or a block assist by anyone on the roster for the first time all season. The Chargers didn't have less than six total blocks in any match throughout the season. On the other side, Grand Valley State dominated the front line on the other side of the net, getting three solo blocks and 20 block assists as a team.
It was the first time the Chargers lost a GLIAC Tournament match since 2008, ending a nine-match winning streak and ending their reign of three straight conference tournament titles, an unprecedented streak in GLIAC history.
Senior middle hitter Lauren Grover got off to a red-hot start in the match with five kills in the first set. She finished the match with a team-high 11 kills and had a .526 hitting percentage as part of a big-time effort.
Freshman Emily Wolfert had eight kills and junior Bekah Draves added five kills to the offensive attack.
Sophomore Alexis Waugh had 21 assists and three service aces, while freshman Marissa Owen had 12 assists and an ace. Sophomore Bailey Lindner led Hillsdale with 19 digs.