One of the highest-ranked teams entering the AVCA Division II National Invitational this week in Dallas, Texas, the No. 3 Hillsdale College volleyball team never quite got in a rhythm on the first day of the event.
The Great Midwest Athletic Chargers lost both Pool B matches they played on Wednesday in the Dallas Convention Center, first getting swept by Peach Belt Conference champion Flagler in the morning despite good moments in all three sets, 20-25, 24-26, 18-25.
Junior outside hitter Karoline Shelton led the Chargers with 10 kills, two aces, five digs and three block assists against the Saints, senior middle hitter Alyssa Van Wienen chipped in eight kills, two solo blocks and two block assists, and junior outside hitter Maddie Clark added six kills.
Freshman Libero Alli Wiese led Hillsdale defensively with 13 digs, and setter Lindsey Mertz chipped in seven digs and 31 assists for the Chargers.
In its second match of the day, Hillsdale bounced back and started strong against South Atlantic Conference champion Wingate, holding off the Bulldogs for a 25-22 first set victory, then rolling to a 25-15 set two win to put themselves on the verge of securing a spot in the gold bracket and a chance to compete for the national title.
But Wingate came roaring back for a 25-17 third-set victory, then held off furious Hillsdale rallies in both the fourth and fifth sets, 25-21 and 15-11, to secure a 3-2 win over the Chargers.
Stats for the Wingate match were not immediately available.
Hillsdale (16-3) will look to bounce back with a stronger day tomorrow in the consolation pool. The Chargers open with a big match against eighth-ranked Gannon, who handed Hillsdale its only regular season loss on February 27. A victory over the Knights at 8 a.m. CT or Texas Woman's University in the other pool match at 4 p.m. CT will earn the Chargers a spot in the silver bracket and a chance to play for the consolation title on Friday and Saturday.