The Hillsdale College volleyball team made quick work of both of its opponents on the final day of the Findlay Classic Saturday, sweeping through its matches to complete an undefeated weekend and head into the start of G-MAC play next weekend with momentum.
Hillsdale 3, Bloomsburg 0
The Chargers controlled all three sets of play against the Huskies, employing many different rotations and getting several young players additional playing time in a 25-20, 25-15, 25-15 victory. Hillsdale only trailed once in the entire match, 1-0 at the start of the first set, holding the lead for essentially all of the remaining three sets of play with only a handful of ties early in sets.
An impressive offensive performance helped the Chargers to victory, as Hillsdale hit over .300 in all three sets with 39 kills despite a large number of substitutions. Sophomore Emory Braswell led the offensive attack for the Chargers, recording a double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs while also finishing with four service aces in the match. Freshman Marcelina Gorny chipped in seven kills and Marilyn Popplewell and Lauren Passaglia each added five for the Chargers.
Libero Alli Wiese led Hillsdale defensively with 18 digs and also chipped in two service aces. All three setters played in the victory for the Chargers, with freshman Vasiliki Paplomata recording 18 assists and sophomore Josie TeSlaa chipping in 11 assists and seven digs.
Hillsdale 3, Saginaw Valley State 0
The Chargers closed out the Findlay Classic with an important win over a Midwest Regional foe in Saginaw Valley State, overpowering the Cardinals at the net with an impressive 49 kills in three sets in a 25-15, 25-18, 27-25 sweep.
Hillsdale dominated the first two sets, using a 7-1 run to turn a 10-8 lead into a runaway victory in set one and scoring six of the final seven points to close out set two in impressive fashion as well. The third set was tougher sledding, as SVSU came out motivated to extend the match, seizing an 18-13 lead, and giving itself triple set point up 24-21 late.
But the Chargers didn't flinch, taking advantage of two crucial Cardinals errors and tying up the set at 24 on a Paplomata ace. After giving the advantage back to SVSU with an error, Hillsdale recorded the final three points of the match, including a kill by Sydney Sahr and a match-clinching service ace by Audrey Riley.
The Chargers also used significant parts of their bench in the victory over the Cardinals, with several players contributing offensively. Marilyn Popplewell led the way with a 13 kill, 10 dig double-double, while junior Maizie Brown hit .833 with 10 kills as well and Megan Kolp and Emory Braswell each chipped in eight kills. Setter Lauren Passaglia dished out 37 assists in the victory, and also chipped in two service aces as well for Hillsdale.
Alli Wiese was named the Findlay Classic's Outstanding Libero for her play across Hillsdale's four wins, while Passaglia and Popplewell each made the All-Tournament team as well. For both Passaglia and Popplewell, it's the second All-Tournament team honor of the season, after also receiving the distinction at the UP Open last weekend.
Hillsdale improves to 6-2 overall on the season and is on a five game winning streak entering conference play, starting next Friday at 7 p.m. against Ursuline in the team's 2023 home opener. The Chargers also will play Lake Erie in a match the next day, Saturday, at 1 p.m.
Photo by Meredith Wipper