The third-seeded Hillsdale College volleyball team saw its NCAA Tourney run come to an abrupt end in the Midwest Regional Quarterfinal round on Thursday afternoon, as the Chargers were upended by sixth-seeded rival Findlay in a 21-25, 25-22, 17-25, 14-25 loss.

It's the second loss to the Oilers in as many matches for the Chargers, who entered the NCAA Tournament coming off a five-set heartbreaker of a defeat to Findlay in the semifinal round of the G-MAC Tournament two weeks ago, and it leaves the season series between the two teams at even after Hillsdale beat the Oilers twice in the regular season.

Hillsdale battled Findlay closely in a split of the first two sets. Set one was a series of back and forth runs between the two squads, with the Chargers using a 6-1 run in the middle of the set to take an 18-16 lead. Findlay, however, responded by taking six of the next seven points to build a lead it would not relinquish, and ultimately take an early lead in the match.

The Chargers responded in set two with their best volleyball of the day, jumping out to an early 6-1 lead and never trailing in the set. Findlay made a big push late in the set to tie things up at 20-all, but the Chargers responded by taking the next three points, all on blocks, to create enough separation to ultimately take the set.

In set three, however, Findlay cranked up its offensive attack, hitting .400 for the set, and the Chargers were unable to match as Findlay pulled away late. Momentum on their side, the Oilers rolled through set four to clinch the match and end Hillsdale's season.

Ultimately, Hillsdale couldn't generate enough firepower to keep pace, finishing with 44 kills to Findlay's 60, and three aces to Findlay's nine. 

Seniors Marilyn Popplewell and Lauren Passaglia led the Chargers in the final match of their collegiate careers. Popplewell finished with 12 kills, nine digs and two total blocks to lea Hillsdale offensively, while Passaglia chipped in 10 kills on .348 hitting, seven digs, two aces, two total blocks and 18 assists.

Fellow senior Maizie Brown led the Chargers in the middle with four total blocks and four kills, while fellow middle hitter Adi Sysum chipped in four kills and three total blocks as well. Sophomores Greta Wise and Marcelina Gorny each added six kills apiece for Hillsdale.

Senior Amanda Hilliker led Hillsdale defensively with 21 digs, and junior Josie TeSlaa contributed a team-leading 20 assists and eight digs as well.

The Chargers finish the season at 22-5 overall, and end a campaign where Hillsdale won the G-MAC North Division championship, posted the best record in the G-MAC in regular season conference play, and advanced to a seventh-straight NCAA Tournament. The Chargers bid farewell to five seniors, including multi-year starters and all-time greats Popplewell, Passaglia and Brown, that will be tough to replace. Despite the losses, however, Hillsdale has a strong foundation waiting in the wings led by Sysum, TeSlaa, Wise and Gorny to build around in 2025.

Photo by Benjamin Amato