The Hillsdale College volleyball team took on two of the top teams in the Midwest Region on Friday, and came away winless despite putting up a good fight in both matches.

The Chargers opened the Midwest Regional Crossover event, held at the Hammond Sportsplex in Hammond, Indiana, with a match-up against the current GLVC leader and a perennial Midwest Region contender, Missouri-St. Louis. Despite coming in as the heavy underdogs, the Chargers came out firing, taking the first set 25-22 behind 15 kills to prove to the Tritons they were in for a battle. Two early service aces by Chloe Pierce helped Hillsdale pull ahead, and two kills by Caroline Lanicek finished off the victory

UMSL answered back with a strong second to take a 25-16 victory and tie up the match, then pulled ahead with a 25-21 set three victory where the Tritons built an early lead and held off a late Chargers push. Hillsdale had chances to take the fourth set, jumping out to an early lead and at one point holding an 18-14 edge in the set, but after the Chargers went up 21-20, UMSL wouldn't be denied, taking five of the last six points to clinch the set, 25-22, and the match.

Senior Adi Sysum had a big match in the middle offensively to lead the Chargers, with 13 kills on .545 hitting and five total blocks, Lanicek chipped in 10 kills and four total blocks, and Emory Braswell added nine kills and six digs as well. Chloe Pierce led Hillsdale defensively with 18 digs and two service aces, Josie TeSlaa finished with a team-high 27 assists and Madison Peal and Hannah Baker each chipped in two aces as well.

In the nightcap, the Chargers battled an experienced Wayne State squad that is 14-3 so far on the season. The Warriors jumped all over the Chargers in the first set, rolling to a 25-11 victory, but Hillsdale battled back in the second set to even up the match, winning 25-19 thanks to six blocks, including three total blocks each from Sysum and Jenna Southland.

After Wayne State pulled away in the third set for a 25-18 victory, Hillsdale hung tough in the fourth set, rallying from a 19-13 deficit with four straight points to keep hope alive, and continuing to pressure the Warriors into the final points. Ultimately, however, the Chargers couldn't complete the comeback, as Wayne State held on for a 25-22 victory to take the match.

Freshman Grace Drake showcased her versatility in the match, leading the Chargers with nine kills against the Warriors while also chipping in 11 assists, while Sysum added eight kills and five total blocks and Ellie Fles chipped in eight kills and eight digs as well. Chloe Pierce finished with 14 digs for Hillsdale defensively, and Josie TeSlaa contributed 23 assists, seven digs and two service aces.

Hillsdale is now 6-9 on the year and finishes the Midwest Regional Crossover tomorrow with one final contest against GLIAC co-leader Grand Valley State, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET. The match is a rematch of a contest from earlier in the season that the Lakers won in a 3-0 sweep on their own home court, so Hillsdale will be looking to turn the tables on Saturday.