In a challenging match in multiple ways, the 19th-ranked Hillsdale College volleyball team out-dueled a determined and talented Findlay squad to remain unbeaten in G-MAC play and add another trophy to their already stocked case on Friday night.
The Chargers swept Findlay 25-23, 25-20, 25-17 to improve to 14-0 overall in the G-MAC and clinch the outright G-MAC North Division title and the top seed in the upcoming G-MAC Tournament.
In a match that included a long stoppage in the second set to resolve scorekeeping issues, Hillsdale's resiliency shone through. The Chargers rallied from a 20-16 deficit in the first set with thanks to big play down the stretch by junior outside hitter Karoline Shelton, who had three kills and a block in Hillsdale's final nine points to help the Chargers take a narrow 25-23 victory.
Then, after both teams were forced into a long stoppage in the second set while a scorekeeping issue was being resolved, the Chargers held their form through the layoff better, outscoring Findlay 7-4 when play resumed to turn an 18-16 lead into a 25-20 victory, and then riding that momentum into the third set to pull away early for a 25-17 victory that clinched the match.
In a battle between two top-notch teams, it was little edges in efficiency that made a big difference for Hillsdale when all was said and done. The Chargers finished with 42 kills on a .214 hitting percentage compared to Findlay's 35 kills and .170 hitting percentage, led by efficient nights from both Shelton, who hit .313 with 14 kills, 10 digs and three total blocks, and senior middle hitter Allyssa Van Wienen, who finished with 12 kills on an excellent .556 hitting percentage and also chipped in four total blocks.
Hillsdale also had just one service error to Findlay's seven, and six aces to Findlay's four. With two particularly close sets early, those extra points played an outsized role in the outcome.
Freshman lbiero Alli Wiese led the Chargers defensively with 12 digs and also chipped in two aces, senior defensive specialist Madie Schider chipped in six digs and two aces, and freshmen Maizie Brown and Marilyn Popplewell each added three block assists.
Senior setter Lindsey Mertz had another strong performance for the Chargers, finishing with 36 assists and a service ace.
Hillsdale is now 23-4 overall, 14-0 in G-MAC play, and will look to wrap up a fourth-straight undefeated regular season in the G-MAC next weekend in its final two home matches. The Chargers host Lake Erie at 7 p.m. on Friday and Ursuline for Senior Day at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Photo by Anthony Lupi '22