For the first time since October 1st, and with just two matches remaining in the regular season, the Hillsdale College volleyball team is back atop the G-MAC standings.
A decisive road sweep over Malone, coupled with a loss by G-MAC leader Walsh, on Thursday night means the Chargers are now tied with the Cavaliers for the G-MAC North Division lead, and the best record in the G-MAC at large, at 15-2 overall.
The Chargers outhit and outmanuevered the Pioneers in a 25-14, 25-19, 25-23 sweep, holding off a strong effort by Malone to extend the match in the third and final set. After trading the lead back and forth several times to get to a 23-23 deadlock, Hillsdale used a kill by sophomore Emory Braswell and an ace by sophomore Josie TeSlaa to seal the set and the match.
Hillsdale raced out to big leads in both the first and second sets, taking a 10-1 advantage in the first set and a 19-11 edge in the second to put Malone out of reach of the lead early. For the match, the Chargers finished with 40 kills and a .185 hitting percentage to Malone's 29 kills and 0.068 hitting percentage, pulling away from the Pioneers with better efficiency at the net.
The Chargers also served extremely well, led by a brilliant performance from Alli Wiese, who is now just three aces off from the program's single-season record after serving five to help lead Hillsdale past the Pioneers. Wiese also racked up 22 digs, moving her closer to another record, the program's career digs mark.
Offensively, the Chargers got big contributions up and down the lineup, as Hillsdale was able to play all 18 dressed players in the victory. Coming off a weekend that saw her earn G-MAC North Division Offensive Player of the Week honors, junior Maizie Brown had another strong outing, leading Hillsdale with a team-high eight kills on a .467 hitting percentage and also chipping in three solo blocks.
Jaclyn Wise, Braswell, Marilyn Popplewell and freshman Marcelina Gorny each chipped in five kills as well for Hillsdale, which had 11 different players each record at least one kill, and freshman Molly Kennedy chipped in two total blocks in one set of action as well.
Amanda Hilliker chipped in eight digs as well for Hillsdale, and setter Lauren Passaglia had a solid match with 21 assists in just two sets, while backup setters TeSlaa and Vasiliki Paplomata each added eight assists as well.
Now 23-5 overall, the Chargers control their own destiny for at least a share of the G-MAC title and still have a chance to seize the top overall seed in the upcoming G-MAC Tournament depending on how the final two days of matches play out. To accomplish their goals, however, the Chargers need to win out, starting with a tricky match tomorrow, Friday, at likely G-MAC Tournament qualfier Tiffin. The action begins at 7 p.m. for Hillsdale.
Photo by Jordan Monnin