The Hillsdale College volleyball team nearly rallied from a two-set deficit, but came up short in a tough five set loss to visiting Findlay on Sunday, 28-30, 21-25, 25-20, 25-14, 9-15.
The Chargers were the more efficient team at the net offensively, hitting .247 to Findlay's .211, but couldn't overcome the sheer firepower of the Oilers' offense, with Findlay piling up 70 kills to Hillsdale's 56. Hillsdale was unable to make up the difference in other areas, with just four aces on the night to seven service errors.
The first set set the tone for a challenging contest for the Chargers, as Hillsdale dropped a marathon 30-28 set despite having two chances to win it at 24-23 and 25-24, and fighting off three set points for the Oilers. Findlay totaled 23 kills in the first set and seemed to have an answer every time the Chargers looked on the verge of taking control.
Findlay carried that momentum into a strong second set, battling Hillsdale back-and-forth and eventually seizing control with a 6-2 run late with the match tied at 16-all to pull away for good.
The Chargers began to turn things around with a phenomenal third set, hitting .400 with 13 kills and using a 7-1 run with Findlay leading 14-13 to stave off elimination. Key plays by substitutes Josie TeSlaa and Jaclyn Wise helped Hillsdale turn the tide in set three and build some momentum. The Chargers came out even better in set four, thoroughly dominating the Oilers after taking a 15-7 lead to force a fifth and deciding set.
In the winner-takes-all fifth, it appeared momentum was on the Chargers side, as Hillsdale scored the first four points, and led 7-5 at one point. But five costly attack errors down the stretch proved to be too much to overcome as Findlay seized control late and closed out the match.
Marilyn Popplewell had a strong all-around match to lead the Chargers with 17 kills and 20 digs for an impressive double-double, and senior Megan Kolp hit .417 with 11 kills and four block assists as well. Maizie Brown chipped in nine kills and four total blocks for Hillsdale, while Wise and Emory Braswell each chipped in five kills.
Alli Wiese led the Chargers defensively with a season-high 33 digs and two service aces, and Adi Sysum chipped in three kills, two solo blocks and two block assists as well. Setter Lauren Passgalia finished with 40 assists, eight digs and three kills for Hillsdale, and Josie TeSlaa chipped in 10 assists as well.
Hillsdale falls to 18-5 overall, 10-2 in the G-MAC with the loss. The Chargers will look to bounce back with a long road trip next weekend, traveling to Kentucky to play Kentucky Wesleyan on Friday night, and continuing down to Nashville, Tennessee and Trevecca Nazarene on Saturday.
Photo by Reva Ludwig