There's no more looking ahead or waiting for the Hillsdale College women's volleyball team -- just one more match in the regular season, and with a conference title on the line.
The Chargers ensured that on Friday night with its second road sweep in as many days, rolling past a solid Tiffin team 25-16, 25-19, 25-22 to improve to 24-5 overall and 16-2 in G-MAC play.
Hillsdale was simply too much for the Dragons in every phase of the game, outhitting Tiffin .304 to .196 and 50 kills to 39, while also serving up five aces to Tiffin's zero.
All three sets were competitive at points. Hillsdale led Tiffin just 14-13 in set one before closing the set on 11-4 run, a stretch where 10 of Hillsdale's 11 points came off of kills, including three from junior middle hitter Maizie Brown.
The second set was the reverse, with Hillsdale taking a 10-2 lead before holding off a late charge by the Dragons. In set three, Tiffin pushed Hillsdale throughout as it looked to try and extend the match, tying the Chargers at 22-all late before a Maizie Brown kill, solo block and Marilyn Popplewell ace in quick succession sealed the victory for Hillsdale.
Brown had a huge night once again for the Chargers, leading Hillsdale offensively with 14 kills on .500 hitting and chipping in two solo blocks, numbers even bigger than the ones that earned Brown G-MAC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. Four players in total finished with double figure kills, as senior Megan Kolp, sophomore Emory Braswell and Popplewell each chipped in 10 in a dominant offensive showing for the Chargers.
Reigning G-MAC Defensive Player of the Week Alli Wiese also stood out for Hillsdale, racking up 25 digs in just three sets, and junior Amanda Hilliker chipped in 10. Setter Lauren Passaglia had one of her best nights of the season directing the attack for Hillsdale, dishing out 38 assists and also chipping in four digs and two kills.
Hillsdale finishes the three game road trip and the regular season on Saturday at 4 p.m. against Findlay, with a chance to wrap up both a share of the G-MAC North Division title and the top seed and hosting rights in the upcoming G-MAC Tourney next week. The Chargers will be looking to avenge a five-set loss to the Oilers earlier in October and carry significant momentum into the G-MAC Tournament.
Photo by Jordan Monnin