In one of its biggest matches of the season to date, the Hillsdale College volleyball team used a composed, efficient performance to take down rival Findlay on Friday night at home, 3-1.
The 25-16, 23-25, 25-18, 25-21 victory gives Hillsdale a one match lead over Findlay in the G-MAC North Division standings with three matches to play, and gives the Chargers a chance to wrap up a share of the North Division title and the No. 2 overall seed in the upcoming G-MAC Tournament on the road against the Oilers on Saturday.
Hillsdale barely edged Findlay in total kills, 52-50, in the match, but dominated two of the three sets they won and pulled away from the Oilers in the match by being significantly more efficient. The Chargers finished with 14 attack errors to Findlay's 27, and hit .244 to Findlay's .135 on the night, giving Hillsdale a huge edge in the final score.
The Chargers had fewer errors than the Oilers in all three sets they won, and lost the only set where they tied Findlay in attack errors, set two.
Leading Hillsdale's attack was sophomore Marilyn Popplewell, who tied her career-high with 19 kills and posted a .283 hitting percentage against a tough Findlay front-line. Senior Karoline Shelton, back from a one-week absence, also played a huge role, finishing with 14 kills on .343 hitting and adding a team-best 26 digs on the night.
All three of Hillsdale's middle hitters made contributions for the Chargers. Maizie Brown finished with seven kills and chipped in four total blocks, Megan Kolp added five kills and four block assists, and Linnea Larson finished with four kills and seven total blocks, including two solo blocks.
Defensively, libero Alli Wiese didn't put up huge numbers, finishing with 21 digs, but showed quality over quantity with multiple spectacular plays to keep Hillsdale rallies alive. Amanda Hilliker chipped in 10 digs and two aces as well.
Setter Lauren Passaglia had a strong night for the Chargers, finishing with 42 assists and adding six digs, two block assists and two aces.
Hillsdale now faces an unusual turnaround, as the Chargers must play Findlay again tomorrow at 4 p.m. for the second time in 24 hours. The Chargers travel to Findlay for the match, which carries big implications – the Oilers must win it to move back into a tie for first place in the North Division, while the Chargers can virtually clinch the title by finishing the sweep.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan