Since entering G-MAC play last weekend, the 22nd-ranked Hillsdale College volleyball team has been on a tear.
The Chargers have yet to drop a set in conference play, sweeping past host Malone for its third-straight victory in G-MAC contests, all on the road, on Friday night, with a 25-21, 25-13, 25-16 victory.
In order to get the sweep, Hillsdale had to overcome a slow start to the match. The Chargers actually trailed 10-7 early in the first set thanks to early miscues, and finished with eight attack errors in the set. Hillsdale, however, was able to rally back to even and pull away late, thanks to four kills in the final five points, including two from sophomore Marilyn Popplewell to seal the victory.
Popplewell carried that momentum over into the second set as the Chargers cleaned up their play and took over the match as a result. The sophomore from Mason, Ohio had six kills in the second set and the Chargers totaled 14 while holding Malone to just three kills in a dominant 25-13 victory to take a 2-0 lead.
Hillsdale finished off Malone in the third set with its most efficient offensive performance of the night, hitting .306 with 15 kills to pull away early in the decisive set.
Popplewell had a strong night overall for the Chargers, finishing with a match-high 13 kills and a .333 hitting percentage. She took full advantage of her versatility and ability to read blockers, scoring several points on tips and off-speed shots as well her normal power game at the net.
Senior middle hitter Linnea Larson continued an impressive start to her final season with seven kills on a .429 hitting percentage and two blocks as well for Hillsdale, and senior Megan Kolp chipped in six kills and two blocks as well.
Sophomore libero Alli Wiese also put together a strong all-around performance, leading Hillsdale with 16 digs and chipping in three service aces as well, while Karoline Shelton chipped in four kills and nine digs as well.
Setter Lauren Passaglia finished with 17 assists, four kills and eight digs in two sets on the night, splitting time with freshman Josie TeSlaa, who added nine assists and six digs of her own.
Hillsdale's attacking power was the difference in the contest, as the Chargers finished with 44 kills to Malone's 22, and recorded six aces to Malone's zero.
The Chargers improve to 10-2 overall and 3-0 in G-MAC, and remains one of four unbeaten teams in G-MAC play. Hillsdale next heads across town in Canton, Ohio on Saturday to play another North Division contest against a dangerous Walsh squad at 4 p.m.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan