The Hillsdale College volleyball team got a tough challenge from a solid Indiana (PA) team to kick off the Findlay Classic on Thursday night, but in the end the Chargers were too much offensively for the Crimson Hawks in a 25-20, 23-25, 25-19, 25-15 victory.

Hillsdale picked up steam as the match wore on, bouncing back from a disappointing second set with with an efficient offensive performance in set three and an even more dominant showing in set four.

The Chargers jumped out to a 9-5 lead in set three with a 4-0 mini run catalyzed by kills from juniors Maizie Brown and Lauren Passaglia, and never looked back. Hillsdale answered every run in the set thanks to strong performances from junior Marilyn Popplewell and freshman Marcelina Gorny, who each had multiple kills down the stretch.

IUP came out on fire to start set four, looking to force a fifth and deciding set, but Hillsdale answered the Crimson Hawks' strong start with a 7-1 run that saw the Chargers turn a two-point deficit into a three point advantage. Leading 18-15, Hillsdale reeled off seven straight points, including two kills from senior Megan Kolp and an ace by freshman Vasiliki Paplomata, to clinch the victory.

The Chargers took an early advantage in the match with a similar dominant finish in set one, closing with six straight points after trailing 20-19 to the Crimson Hawks to win the set. IUP answered back with a big run to start the second set, jumping out to a 9-3 lead, and while Hillsdale was able to battle back to even late in the set, the Chargers were unable to seize control in a tight 25-23 loss.

Popplewell finished with 14 kills and six digs to lead the Chargers offensively, while Kolp chipped in nine kills and four total blocks and junior Sydney Sahr added seven kills on .500 hitting for the match. Junior libero Amanda Hilliker chipped in three aces and 10 digs for the Chargers, while libero Alli Wiese led Hillsdale defensively with 10 digs.

Setter Lauren Passaglia had a strong contest, dishing out 38 assists for the Chargers, while also chipping in five kills and five digs. Senior Audrey Riley and redshirt freshman Chloe Pierce each chipped in seven digs as well for Hillsdale.

The Chargers are now 3-2 overall and turn their focus to a critical Midwest Region match on the second day of the Findlay Classic tomorrow, against a Wayne State squad that should be in the mix for NCAA Tournament qualification. The match begins at 3 p.m. eastern time.

Photo by Meredith Whipper