Schedule
Quarterfinal #1: #3 Ferris St. (24-9) vs #6 Ashland (23-8) | 1 p.m. ET Thursday, Nov. 18 | Pepsi Arena | Quincy, IL
Quarterfinal #2: #2 Lewis (22-8) vs #7 Hillsdale (27-6) | 3:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Nov. 18 | Pepsi Arena | Quincy, IL
Quarterfinal #3: #4 Rockhurst (20-7) vs #5 Missouri St. Louis (21-6) | 6 p.m. ET Thursday, Nov. 18 | Pepsi Arena | Quincy, IL
Quarterfinal #4: #8 Northern Michigan (23-8) at #1 Quincy (27-2) | 8:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Nov. 18 | Pepsi Arena | Quincy, IL
Semifinal #1: QF1 winner vs QF2 winner | 6 p.m. ET Friday, Nov. 19 | Pepsi Arena | Quincy, IL
Semifinal #2: QF3 winner vs QF4 winner | 8:30 p.m. ET Friday, Nov. 19 | Pepsi Arena | Quincy, IL
Final: SF1 winner vs SF2 winner | 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 | Pepsi Arena | Quincy, IL
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Additional Info
Hillsdale Roster | 2022 Hillsdale Stats | Tournament Central
Players to Watch
#7 Hillsdale: #7 Karoline Shelton, Sr., OH, Shawnee, KS/Mission South (3rd G-MAC in K/S, 5th in P/S, 11th in D/S); #4 Alli Wiese, So., L/DS, Mattawan, MI/Mattawan (2nd G-MAC in D/S, 4th in SA/S); #8 Maizie Brown, So., MH, Portage, MI/Central (1st G-MAC in B/S, 10th in hitting %); #13 Marilyn Popplewell, So., OH, Mason, OH/Mason (8th G-MAC in K/S, 8th in P/S); #11 Lauren Passaglia, So., S, Cary, IL/Cary Grove (5th G-MAC in A/S)
#2 Lewis: #1 Lauren Stenman, Jr, S/RS, Maplewood, MN/North St. Paul (3rd GLVC in A/S); #12 Andrea Zeiser, Sr., L, Eureka, MO/Eureka (2nd GLVC in D/S); #14 Bella Ray, Jr., MH, Plainfield, IL/Joliet Catholic (1st GLVC in B/S, 10th in K/S, 3rd in P/S); #22 Farah Taki, Sr., MH, North Aurora, IL/West Aurora (8th GLVC in B/S)
#3 Ferris St.: #5 Olivia Henneman-Dallape, So., MH, Oregon, OH/Clay (9th GLIAC in K/S); #12 Kaylee Maat, So., S, Hudsonville, MI/Hudsonville (1st GLIAC in A/S, 1st in SA/S); #14 Syann Fairfield, So., MH, North Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon (5th GLIAC in B/S, 9th in P/S); #16 Leah Bylut, So., L, Palos Heights, IL/Alan B. Shepard (4th GLIAC in D/S)
#6 Ashland: #9 Makenna Belcher, So., OH, Marengo, OH/Sparta Highland (7th G-MAC in K/S, 7th in SA/S, 7th in P/S); #11 Katie Thompson, Jr., L, Independence, OH/Padua Franciscan (1st G-MAC in D/S); #14 Zoey Peck, Sr., S, Homeworth, OH/Marlington (2nd G-MAC in A/S); #16 Erin Krupar, Sr., OH, East Sparta, OH/Canton Central (6th G-MAC in K/S, 4th in P/S); #17 Anna Krikke, Sr., MB, North Royalton, OH/North Royalton (3rd G-MAC in B/S, 4th in hitting %)
#4 Rockhurst: #5 Sarah Montague, Jr., S, Omaha, NE/Marian (5th GLVC in A/S); #9 Kenzie Hines, Jr., OH, Nixa, MO/Nixa (4th GLVC in K/S, 7th in P/S); #10 Maureen Reilly, Jr., L/DS, Overland Park, KS/St. James Academy (1st GLVC in D/S); #11 Gracie LaForge, Sr., MH, Grain Valley, MO/Grain Valley/Johnson City CC (6th GLVC in hitting %)
#5 Missouri-St. Louis: #5 Caitlin Bishop, Fr., S, Lansing, KS/Lansing (1st GLVC in A/S); #8 Charlotte Richards, Sr., OH, Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier (2nd GLVC in K/S, 2nd in SA/S, 2nd in P/S); #9 Kylie Adams, Jr., DS, Tinley Park, IL/Andrew (5th GLVC in D/S); #18 Lexie Rang, Sr., OH, Miamisburg, OH/Miamisburg (7th GLVC in K/S, 7th in SA/S, 4th in P/S)
#1 Quincy: #2 Mattison Norris, Sr., OH, Alexandria, IN/Cathedral (6th GLVC in K/S, 9th in P/S); #18 Makayla Knoblauch, Sr., S, Leo, IN/Leo (2nd GLVC in A/S); #21 America Galvan, So, L, Fort Worth, TX (3rd in D/S); #24 Alice Pavan, Fr., MB, Mira, Italy/UniversitaCa Foscri Scienze Ambientali (1st GLVC in hitting %; 4th in B/S)
#8 Northern Michigan: #1 Alli Yacko, Jr., DS, Oak Lawn, IL/Oak Lawn (5th GLIAC in D/S); #9 Laura Van Remortel, Jr., S, Carmel, IN/Carmel (5th GLIAC in A/S); #10 Jacqueline Smith, So., OH, Saint Germain, WI/Northland Pines (2nd GLIAC in K/S, 4th in SA/S, 2nd in P/S); #18 Lizzy Stark, Sr., OH/Minneapolis, MN/Washburn (8th GLIAC in K/S)
Scouting the Chargers
Hillsdale captured its sixth straight G-MAC Tournament title, for the first time on an opposing team's floor, dropping just one set in three matches to bring home the crown last weekend.
Now, the Chargers look to defend their 2021 NCAA DII Midwest Regional title in the NCAA Tournament this weekend, as Hillsdale makes its fifth consecutive appearance in the 64 team bracket.
In 2022, the Chargers have had to overcome significant graduation losses from its 2021 NCAA DII Elite Eight squad, as Hillsdale bid farewell last spring to a talented five-player senior class that included two All-Americans, two more All-G-MAC players and a player who finished in the top 10 all time in career digs at Hillsdale.
Despite the losses, however, Hillsdale is still well-stocked with talent, as well as meaningful experience at multiple positions. A third 2021 All-American, senior outside hitter Karoline Shelton, returns for the final season of a stellar five-year career, and is joined by two-time All-G-MAC libero Alli Wiese, who set the Hillsdale single-season record for digs both last year and this year, as well as three-time All-G-MAC middle hitter Maizie Brown.
The Chargers have plenty of options in the front row, led by sophomore outside hitter Marilyn Popplewell, a first-team All-G-MAC honoree, as well as senior middle hitters Megan Kolp and Linnea Larson, who both earned All-G-MAC honors as well.
In the back row, Hillsdale can call on rock-solid veteran Audrey Riley, who's been part of the rotation since arriving as a freshman, and athletic sophomores Amy Buffini and Amanda Hilliker.
The biggest question mark for Hillsdale is at setter, where the Chargers will have to replace five-year starter Lindsey Mertz, the program's assists record-holder. Luckily, Hillsdale has a promising new starter in sophomore Lauren Passaglia who beat out several other quality options for the spot and has been solid so far.
Coaching the Chargers for the 27th year is Chris Gravel, who's built Hillsdale's program from the ground up and into one of the top programs in the Midwest Region. Under Gravel, the Chargers have won nine conference regular season titles, nine conference tournament titles, made 14 NCAA Division II tournament appearances, won the Midwest Regional title in 2011 and 2021, and reached the NCAA DII Final Four in 2011 while making the Elite Eight round in 2021.
The Contenders
#1 Quincy: The GLVC regular-season champion and regional host was not expected to be in this position, having been picked to finish fifth in the GLVC at the start of the year. But a 14-match win streak, a Midwest Region Crossover championship, and dominant regular-season victories over other GLVC contenders helped lead the Hawks to their best season since the mid-90s.
Quincy had a strong offense in 2021 behind hitters Mattison Norris and Emma Wijnbergen and veteran setter Marissa Knoblauch, but it's been the rise of the Hawks' defense, led by new libero America Galvan and 2022 GLVC Freshman of the Year and middle hitter Alice Pavan that's pushed the Hawks to the top of the region.
#2 Lewis: After an up-and-down season, the perennial regional contending Flyers are peaking at the right time, stunning top-seeded Quincy to win the GLVC Tournament this past weekend, and jump up multiple spots into the two-seed in the regional.
Lewis makes the most of a balanced offense led by veteran hitters Bella Ray and Juliana Van Loo, but it's the Flyers' defense at the net that sets them apart – they're one of the best blocking teams in the region, with Ray and fellow middle hitter Farah Taki both posting impressive numbers this season.
#3 Ferris State: The GLIAC regular season and tournament champion, the Bulldogs have successfully reloaded after making a run to the Midwest Regional final last year, overcoming an 0-6 start to enter this weekend as one of the favorites to bring home a regional crown.
The Bulldogs are one of the most balanced offensive teams in the region, led by two explosive middle hitters in Olivia Henneman-Dallape and Syann Fairfield, as well as outside hitter Claire Nowicki. A young team with no seniors in the regular rotation, Ferris has a budding star in setter Kaylee Maat and will be a factor for years to come, regardless of the outcome this weekend.
#4 Rockhurst: A perennial NCAA Tournament squad and regional contender, the Hawks opened the 2022 season by winning their home invitational and upsetting 2021 Midwest Region champion Hillsdale. That victory has propelled them to a strong campaign that included a runner-up finish in this past weekend's GLVC Tourney.
Rockhurst is a sound team defensively, led by 2022 GLVC Libero of the Year Maureen Reilly. Offensively, junior Kenzie Hines is a strong all-around player and team leader, while junior Tera Reberry also gives the Hawks a strong second threat on the outside. Rockhurst is a contender but will have a tough opening match against a Missouri-St. Louis team it split with in the season.
#5 Missouri-St. Louis: A powerhouse offensive team, Missouri-St. Louis has arguably the best one-two punch in the region in GLVC Player of the Year Charlotte Richards and talented outside hitter Lexie Rang.
Freshman setter Caitlin Bishop has been impressive directing one of the region's best offenses, and all the firepower should make UMSL a contender. But the Tritons will have to prove they can run a gauntlet that will likely force them to avenge two of their six losses this season to Rockhurst and Quincy just to make the regional final round.
#6 Ashland.: For the first time since 2018, the Eagles are back in the NCAA Tournament, and with a dominant record that implies they'll be a tough out in the Midwest Regional field.
Behind talented hitters Erin Krupar, Makenna Belcher and Anna Krikke, the Eagles ran roughshod over the G-MAC in the regular season until the final week, posting 15 straight wins, and taking top regional seed Quincy to five sets in the finals of the Midwest Regional Crossover. But Ashland ended the season with back-to-back losses to sub-.500 Tiffin, and will have to prove they can shake off that tough finish and get back to what made them successful earlier in the season this weekend.
#8 Northern Michigan: A breakout season has the one-time national powerhouse Wildcats back in the NCAA DII Tournament for the first time since 2010. Northern Michigan snuck in as the eight seed thanks to a strong showing in G-MAC play and head-to-head wins against other contenders for the eighth spot.
The Wildcats boast one of the region's top offensive weapons in sophomore Jacqueline Smith, as well as a great complimentary attacker in Lizzy Stark. NMU does have the firepower necessary to compete, but will have to up their game if they want to stick around and make some noise this weekend – in four matches against teams that made the regional, the Wildcats went 0-4 with just one set victory this season.
Other Notes
- The Chargers are making their 14th NCAA DII Tournament appearance in program history and their fourth consecutive appearance this season. All 14 have come under head coach Chris Gravel, who took over the program in 1996. Hillsdale has reached the Midwest Regional final round four times – in 2011, 2012, 2019 and 2021, and won the Midwest Regional title in 2011, reaching the Final Four that season, and in 2021, reaching the Elite Eight round. Hillsdale is 14-13 all time in NCAA Tournament play.
- Winners of eight of the last 10 Midwest Regional titles are in the 2021 field. Rockhurst leads the way with three titles in that span (2015, 2017, 2019), Lewis (2016 and 2018) and Hillsdale (2011, 2021) have two each, and Ferris St. has one (2013).
- The Chargers are 3-8 all-time against first-round opponent Lewis, including a narrow five-set loss in the Midwest Regional Crossover earlier this season. Interestingly, despite both teams earning NCAA Tournament berths nearly every season for the last decade, this will be the first-ever meeting between the Chargers and Flyers in the NCAA Tournament.
- Hillsdale's G-MAC Tournament title last weekend is the sixth consecutive G-MAC tourney crown won by the Chargers, who have a perfect 17-0 record in G-MAC Tournament matches dating back to their first season in the conference in 2017. The Chargers also have five regular season titles. Hillsdale is 104-4 all-time in G-MAC regular season and tournament matches combined.
- Hillsdale reached the 20-win mark for the sixth consecutive season earlier this year, and added three more wins last weekend. This stretch of 20-win seasons is the longest in program history – prior to this stretch, Hillsdale had won 20 or more games in just 10 seasons in the entire NCAA DII era dating back to 1990.
- Sophomore libero Alli Wiese has racked up significant individual honors this season, and has tied or broken multiple school records. Two weekends ago, Wiese tied the single-match school record for digs with 40 against Walsh, and broke her own single-season school record for digs – she's now at 663. Wiese, who is second in the G-MAC in digs per set and is fourth in service aces per set, also needs three aces to break Apryl Schmucker's single-season ace record of 57 set in 2011. The sophomore has 1,597 digs for her career, good for sixth all-time at Hillsdale, and is on pace to break Hillsdale's career digs record of 2,251 held by her older sister, Taylor.
- Senior outside hitter Karoline Shelton, the newly-minted G-MAC Tournament MVP, is building a resume as one of the most accomplished all-around players in program history. The 2021 All-American is one of just two players in program history, along with Cassandra Cole (1996-99), to surpass both 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs for her career. At 1,487 kills and 1, 602 digs through this past weekend, Shelton is now in the top five all-time at Hillsdale in both stats, and could move as high as third in kills before her career ends. She's been named G-MAC North Division Offensive Player of the Week four times this season and is currently third in kills per set in the G-MAC (3.48)
- The Chargers are elite defensively once again this year as Hillsdale leads the G-MAC and is 15thin the nation at the NCAA DII level in digs per set at 18.02. Wiese, mentioned above, plays a leading role with 5.30 digs per set, but Hillsdale is also getting important contributions from defensive specialists Amy Buffini (2.19 D/S), Audrey Riley (2.03) and Amanda Hilliker (1.95), as well as impressive support from outside hitter Karoline Shelton (3.40) and setter Lauren Passaglia (2.35).
- Hillsdale currently leads the G-MAC in blocks per set with 2.36 in 2022 – a testament to the Chargers' strength up front. Leading the way is sophomore Maizie Brown, who has 126 total blocks this season, and whose 1.15 blocks per set leads the G-MAC. Sydney Sahr (0.77) and Megan Kolp (0.79) also rate highly among G-MAC players, as does Linnea Larson, who has 1.16 blocks per set, though in not enough sets to qualify for the conference standings.
- Family ties play an interesting role for the Hillsdale College volleyball team this year, with several players following in the footsteps of family members who played Charger athletics. Three of Hillsdale's five incoming freshmen have older siblings who are or were Chargers – libero Chloe Pierce's older sister, Sophia, just wrapped up her career as a women's basketball player at Hillsdale, front row player Adi Sysum is the younger sister of women's basketball player Arianna Sysum, and setter Josie TeSlaa is the younger sister of Charger football player Isaac TeSlaa. They join Alli Wiese, whose older sister, Taylor, also was a libero for the Chargers and is currently on the coaching staff.
- Familiar faces are all over head coach Chris Gravel's coaching staff. As mentioned above, assistant Taylor Wiese was an All-American libero for the Chargers from 2016-19. She's joined this year as an assistant by Allyssa Van Wienen, who just wrapped up her Charger career last fall and finished as a two-time All-American.