The Hillsdale College volleyball team is championship-worthy once again.
The Chargers locked up at least a share of the G-MAC North Division title with a 17-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23 victory at Findlay on Saturday afternoon, handing the Oilers their second loss in less than 24 hours to improve to 22-6 overall and 14-2 in G-MAC play.
While the Chargers won by the same score, 3-1, as last night at home, today's victory came much harder on the road. The Chargers were badly outhit in the first set, giving up 19 kills and finishing with just seven, forcing Hillsdale to come from behind against a Findlay team that was determined to stay alive in the G-MAC North Division race.
But once Hillsdale found its footing in set two, the Oilers couldn't keep pace. Hillsdale pulled away for a second set victory behind strong hitting, ending the set on a 6-1 run. The Chargers trailed for much of the third set, but had one of its best hitting sets of the day, cranking out 17 kills at a .351 clip and ending the set on another 4-1 run, all by kills.
Findlay looked on the way to forcing a fifth set in set four, jumping out to a 8-3 lead, but Hillsdale methodically chipped away at the Oilers' advantage, overtaking Findlay at 20-all and never trailing again to seal the victory.
Senior Karoline Shelton had a massive match for the Chargers, finishing with 18 kills, 10 digs and four total blocks to lead the Chargers offense, while sophomore Marilyn Popplewell chipped in 10 kills as well.
Hillsdale had a huge edge at the net defensively, recording seven solo blocks and 18 block assists to stop what had been a lethal Oilers offense in its tracks after set one. Middle hitters Maizie Brown and Megan Kolp each contributed two solo block and three block assists apiece for the Chargers, while senior Linnea Larson added four total blocks as well.
Alli Wiese led the Chargers defensively with 13 digs, while Amanda Hilliker chipped in 10 digs as well. Multiple setters played for Hillsdale in the win, with Lauren Passaglia taking charge in three sets and finishing with 31 assists, while Madeline Zenas playing the fourth and recording 13 assists as well.
Hillsdale has just two matches remaining in the regular season, before heading to Ashland for the G-MAC Tournament in two weeks. The Chargers host Walsh on Friday at 7 PM looking to wrap up the outright G-MAC North Division title, then play Malone next Saturday, Nov. 5, at 5 PM in their final home match of the season and senior night for the Chargers' six graduating players.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan