The #17 Hillsdale College volleyball team capped off a long road trip in successful fashion on Saturday to stay atop the G-MAC North leaderboard.
The Chargers dominated the first, second and fourth sets and overcame a slight dip in the third set to down a feisty Trevecca Nazarene team on its home court, 25-17, 25-10, 25-27, 25-17 and improve to 10-2 on the season, and 4-0 in G-MAC play.
Hillsdale took charge of the match early, putting down 12 kills with no errors and a .500 hitting percentage to take the first set, then adding another 12 kills and holding the Trojans to a -.132 hitting percentage in set two.
Nine attack errors for the Chargers proved costly, especially late, in a 27-25 Trevecca victory in set three to keep the Trojans in the match, but the Chargers shut the door in set 4, opening on a 6-1 run to put away Trevecca and claim the match.
Senior middle hitter Allyssa Van Wienen had an excellent match both offensively and defensively to lead the Chargers, finishing with a team high 16 kills and six total blocks as Hillsdale dominated at the net to top the Trojans.
Junior Karoline Shelton was close behind with 15 kills, four blocks and nine digs, and senior Maddie Clark gave the Charger offense a third player in double-figures with 10 kills on the night.
Defensively, libero Alli Wiese led the Chargers with 19 digs and four service aces, and senior Madie Schider chipped in 16 digs, two service aces and two kills as well.
Senior setter Lindsey Mertz had another excellent performance directing the Charger attack, finishing with 42 assists, nine digs and three kills.
The win is a big one for the Chargers, who are now one of just three unbeaten teams remaining in the G-MAC along with Findlay and Ashland through four matches.
That number is guaranteed to drop to two on Tuesday as Hillsdale and Findlay meet at 7 p.m. hosted by the Oilers. The winner will not only move into sole possession of first place in the G-MAC North Division, but also gain pole position in the race for one of the two first-round byes in the season-ending G-MAC tournament, as well as potential hosting rights for the semifinal and final rounds.
Photo courtesy of Trevecca Nazarene Athletics