One of the best seasons in Hillsdale College volleyball history came to a sad end Thursday night, in an unfamiliar environment.
The Chargers were eliminated from the NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament in a 3-1 loss to the University of Findlay in the regional quarterfinal, played at Ferris State's Jim Wink Arena. Hillsdale's season ends with an overall record of 23-8.
The tone was established in the first set between the top two teams in the GLIAC South Division. The Chargers were ahead 24-23, but fell in the opener 28-26. Hillsdale responded impressively with a 25-15 win in set two to tie the match up at 1-1. Part of that set was a 14-5 run that broke a 6-6 tie.
But the Oilers adjusted and were able to get the ball to their best offensive player, Hannah Tong, who finished with a match-high 20 kills. Findlay took the match with wins of 25-13 and 25-17 in the final two sets. The Oilers did not trail in either set.
Findlay had 58 kills as a team compared to 40 for Hillsdale, while the Chargers scored just one point via service ace.
The Charger program says goodbye to five impactful seniors – Emily Wolfert, Haylee Booms, Marissa Owen, Jenalle Beaman and Jordan Denmark – each of whom played an important part in the team's return to the NCAA Tournament this season. But one of the team's brightest prospects, freshman Kara Vyletel, stepped forward with a big match in her regional debut.
Vyletel had 11 kills with a .300 hitting percentage and 6 digs to pace the Hillsdale offense. It was the most kills she's had in a match since a 12-kill performance in a five-set win over Ohio Dominican Oct. 30.
Wolfert, a Booms, go-to offensive players from the first day of their careers, finished with a combined 13 kills in the final matches of their memorable careers.
Junior Kyra Rodi, who came on strong late in the season, added 4 kills, 2 solo blocks and 2 block assists for the Chargers. Sophomore Brittany Jandasek led the team with 16 digs, while senior setter Marissa Owen concluded her career with 17 assists and 6 digs.
PHOTO CREDIT: Greg Vyletel