It had been nearly a full calendar month since the Hillsdale College volleyball team had a home contest before Thursday night's match against Ursuline.

And the Chargers played like team that was happy to be back in the friendly confines of Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena, blowing past the Arrows in a dominant 25-20, 25-11, 25-13 victory to improve to 8-1 in G-MAC play.

Hillsdale nearly doubled up visiting Ursuline in kills, 42 to 23, and recorded 11 blocks to completely control the net in Thursday's contest. After a relatively close first set, the Chargers jumped out to a massive lead in set two, then overcame an early deficit in set three to roll to victory.

With the Chargers in control for most of the night, Hillsdale was able to get playing time for its entire roster, with several players stepping up in big ways. Adi Sysum had a breakout match, hitting .556 with six kills and adding four total blocks in just a set and a half of action to lead the Chargers offensively, while senior Marilyn Popplewell chipped in six kills and nine digs as well. Caroline Lanicek chipped in five kills and three block assists as well for Hillsdale, while Lauren Passaglia, Maizie Brown and Ellie Fles each added four kills.

Hillsdale used three setters in the match, with sophomore Vasiliki Paplomata leading with 15 assists. Josie TeSlaa chipped in 12 assists and six digs as well for the Chargers, and Passaglia added 11. Amanda Hilliker led the Chargers defensively with 11 digs and two aces, Molly Kennedy chipped in two solo blocks and Jenna Southland added two aces as well for Hillsdale.

The Chargers improve to 15-3 overall and remain in first place in the G-MAC North Division, as well as tied with Ashland for the overall G-MAC lead. The Eagles, who lead the G-MAC East Division, are the team up next for Hillsdale, as the Chargers face Ashland in a 7 p.m. match on Friday to determine the outright leader in the G-MAC, and give one team the inside track to host the season ending G-MAC Tournament in mid-November.

Photo by Sarah Chappelle