After earning its highest-ever ranking in program history, the Hillsdale College volleyball team did what it had to do on the road on Friday to hold onto that spot.
The Chargers, who were second in Division II in the most recent AVCA coaches poll, downed host Ursuline on the road in a 25-15, 25-20, 25-11 victory to remain unbeaten on the season and pick up its fifth-straight victory.
Hillsdale started the match slowly, falling behind 6-3 in the first set against a motivated and upset-minded Arrows squad. The Chargers, however, cut down their errors and quickly rallied, outscoring Ursuline 7-1 over the next eight points to seize control and pull away for a 25-15 set one victory.
Set two was even harder fought. The Chargers led for most of the set, but, trailing 19-15, Ursuline rattled off four straight points to tie the set at 19-all.
Once again, however, Hillsdale had an answer to the Ursuline run, as Maggie DePorre and Karoline Shelton combined for three Charger kills in the next four points to help Hillsdale reestablish control and ultimately take the set.
Up 2-0 in the match and with a chance to close things out, Hillsdale came out firing in the third set and put Ursuline away early. Senior Alyssa Van Wienen had four of her five kills in the match in the first nine points to help the Chargers build a sizable early lead and Hillsdale never looked back in a 25-11 victory.
Balanced offense characterized the Charger attack on the night, as Hillsdale moved players in and out of the rotation and experimented with various lineups throughout the contest. Shelton, fresh off of earning AVCA National Player of the Week honors, had another strong outing, leading the Chargers with 14 kills on a .355 hitting percentage and chipping in 12 digs.
DePorre also had a strong night with nine kills on a .450 hitting percentage, as well as 1.5 blocks, and junior Maddie Clark was instrumental in the first set for the Chargers, finishing with all six of her kills on the night in that set to help lead the Chargers to victory.
Setters Lindsey Mertz and Madeline Zenas split duties on the night, with Mertz finishing with 24 assists and Zenas 14, while senior Madie Schider led the Charger defense with 19 digs and Zenas also chipped in two solo blocks.
Freshman Alli Wiese had a solid night at the service line, leading the Chargers with three aces.
Hillsdale (5-0) next travels to Gannon on Saturday at 1 p.m. for the Chargers' biggest road test of the young season. The Knights are ranked 22nd in the nation and made the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in 2019, returning several key pieces from that team in 2021.
Photo by Anthony Lupi