Box Score Box score
The road finally caught up with the Hillsdale College volleyball team.
Playing an unheard-of 12th straight match away from home, the Chargers let a 2-1 lead slip away in a 3-2 loss to South Division rival Findlay Tuesday night in Ohio.
Despite the loss, Hillsdale is still in a share of first place in the GLIAC South Division with an overall record of 10-2 and 4-1 in the GLIAC. Findlay is 10-3, 4-1.
The Oilers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the match with a 25-17 win in set one. The Chargers grabbed control with a pair of one-sided wins in sets two and three, by scores of 25-19 and 25-15, respectively. Findlay took a 5-1 lead early in set four to help reverse the momentum Hillsdale established, and went on to win 25-19.
Findlay nudged out to a 9-6 lead in set five, a lead that turned out to be insurmountable. The Oilers clinched the match with a 15-11 win.
The Oilers hit .103 and .062 in sets two and three, won by Hillsdale, but hit .370, .333 and .500 in the three sets it won.
Junior Erin Holsinger had her second double-digit kill match of the season, leading the Chargers with 12 to go along with7 total blocks and a fine .429 hitting percentage.
Senior Haylee Booms was efficient once again, playing her third straight match without committing an error, a remarkable streak. Booms delivered 9 kills and hit .692 in the match. Freshman Paige VanderWall added 10 kills, while freshman Kara Vyletel had 9 kills and senior Emily Wolfert had 8 kills
Senior Marissa Owen and freshman Taylor Bennett combined for 48 assists, and Jenalle Beaman led the defense with 12 digs.
After playing an absurdly heavy road schedule, the Chargers are at home each of the next two weekends, facing four teams from the GLIAC North Division.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: Several statistical factors played in Hillsdale's favor in the match…The Chargers outhit the Oilers .298 to .248, committing seven fewer attack errors…Findlay committed 10 serving errors, but also put down 10 service aces…Findlay's top three players combined for 48 of its 59 kills, and while the Chargers had better balance – five players with between eight and 12 kills – Findlay's errorless fifth set proved to be a big difference.
UP NEXT: The Chargers finally play a home match Friday night when they host Northern Michigan University at 7 p.m.
PHOTO CREDIT: Greg Vyletel
