The Hillsdale College volleyball team couldn't finish off a two-set lead in a tough road loss at Tiffin on Saturday, falling 3-2 to the Dragons for their first conference defeat, 25-7, 25-23, 17-25, 17-25, 12-15.

The Chargers dominated the first set, hitting .579 without an attack error to roll to a 25-7 victory that was the most lopsided set Hillsdale has played this season. The second set was closer, as the Chargers had to hold off a late Tiffin run to take a 25-23 victory, but the win gave Hillsdale a 2-0 advantage and a commanding edge in the match.

That wouldn't prove to be enough, as Hillsdale came out flat in the third set with nine attack errors and allowed Tiffin to take the set. That momentum seemed to energize the Dragons, while Hillsdale couldn't recapture the form it had in the first two sets. Tiffin took big, commanding leads in both the fourth and deciding fifth sets, and while Hillsdale was able to close as close as 13-12 in the fifth set, Tiffin recorded the final two points to seal the upset.

Hillsdale got 68 kills in the match to Tiffin's 57, but the Dragons were more efficient, hitting .243 with just 15 attack errors while the Chargers had an uncharacteristic 25, 19 in the final three sets. The Chargers also had eight missed serves which proved costly in the back half of the match.

Marilyn Popplewell led Hillsdale offensively with an impressive 23 kill, 17 dig double-double, along with two service aces, while fellow senior Maizie Brown chipped in 12 kills and Greta Wise and Caroline Lanicek each added seven kills. 

Amanda Hillker was the top Charger defensively with 23 digs and two service aces, while Chloe Pierce added 15 digs. Lauren Passaglia had a solid match with 41 assists, 12 digs and two service aces, while Josie TeSlaa added 10 digs and eight assists as well.

Hillsdale is now 11-2 overall, 5-1 in the G-MAC and must regroup quickly as the Midwest Regional Crossover is up next beginning on Friday in Hammond, Indiana. All the teams from the three conferences that make up the Midwest Region will be in attendance, and Hillsdale will get three matches against top teams in the GLIAC and GLVC with a chance to boost their NCAA Tournamnt resume to help secure a bid at the end of the season. Matchups in the event will be announced on Monday.

Photo by Reva Ludwig