Throughout the season, Hillsdale and Walsh had stuck together as teams that were undefeated atop the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Consider them unstuck.
The Chargers, ranked 11th in Division II, overpowered the Cavs to the tune of a 3-0 sweep at the Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena. Hillsdale is now 20-3 overall and 9-0 in the G-MAC. Walsh falls to 8-1 in the conference.
Hillsdale won the sets by scores of 25-18, 25-13 and 25-15. As the match wore on, the Chargers played with more strength, purpose and execution, being led by their usual standouts.
Sophomore Karoline Shelton in particular, was very aggressive with her swing and her serve, and was a devastating force in the match. She led all players with 15 kills along with a .500 hitting percentage in the match. She had 10 digs and 2 block assists on defense, showing high-level focus and intensity anywhere she was on the floor.
Walsh, like everyone else Hillsdale has played this year, had no answer for junior middle hitter Allyssa Van Wienen, who had 12 kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Her quick hits were unstoppable against a good Walsh defense.
Hillsdale hit .378 as a team and held the Cavs - who came into the match leading the G-MAC in hitting percentage - to a paltry .092 hitting percentage for the match. Walsh had 32 kills but 22 hitting errors while the Chargers committed just 8 hitting errors in the entire match.
Junior setter Lindsey Mertz had 37 assists, 4 digs and 3 kills while sophomore Maggie DePorre turned in another impressive effort with 9 kills and 2 digs.
Senior libero Taylor Wiese had 15 digs and an ace, serving once again as an invaluable member of the back row for Hillsdale.
PHOTO: Camryn Olson