The Hillsdale College volleyball team got the Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic off to a strong start on Friday morning, winning its first four sets of the day before ultimately settling for a split on the first day of the invitational in Allendale.

The Chargers made quick work of a traditional Atlantic Region powerhouse in the morning, rolling past Wheeling in straight sets at GVSU Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale, Michigan. Hillsdale never trailed in the first set on the way to a 25-20 victory and overcame small early deficits with big runs to pull ahead in sets two and three to complete a 25-22, 25-15 sweep.

For the match, the Chargers outhit the Cardinals, finishing with a .281 hitting percentage to Wheeling's .148. A balanced attack played in Hillsdale's favor, as six players finished with four or more kills in the win for the Chargers, led by sophomore Jenna Southland's 11 kills and three total blocks. 
 
Senior Adi Sysum chipped in eight kills and four total blocks on .412 hitting, and junior Emory Braswell added seven kills on .462 hitting as well. Sophomore Hannah Baker chipped in six kills, eight digs and two aces in a balanced performance, while freshman Madison Peal led the Chargers defensively with 13 digs and senior Josie TeSlaa put up 34 assists along with five kills.

In the nightcap, Hillsdale faced off against a Central Missouri team that had dismantled 13th-ranked Grand Valley State in a sweep in the match prior. The Chargers came out on fire against a tough opponent, rolling to a 25-14 first set victory with 15 kills and a .482 hitting percentage, but couldn't sustain that momentum as the Jennies upped their tempo from set two on and took out Hillsdale in three competitive sets, 19-25, 21-25, 22-25.

The Chargers actually outhit Central Missouri in the match, finishing with 61 kills to the Jennies' 56 and a .246 hitting percentage to their .233, but most of the Chargers' advantage in those categories came in the first set, and Central Missouri proved to be tough late in sets and especially in the closeout points.

Southland had another strong match to lead the Chargers offensively once again, with 14 kills and four total blocks, and Adi Sysum was a terror in the middle for Hillsdale, with 13 kills and a .600 hitting percentage.

Caroline Lanicek and Baker each chipped in 10 kills as well for Hillsdale to give the Chargers four in double figures, and freshman Taylor Cook added eight kills in her most significant playing time to date.

Peal finished with 26 digs to lead the Chargers defensively, TeSlaa chipped in 50 assists and 16 digs, and redshirt freshman Ella Byrum added 12 digs and two aces.

Hillsdale (2-3) finishes the Grand Rapids Downtown Classic tomorrow at 3 p.m. with a big match against host Grand Valley State. The Lakers entered the tournament ranked 13th in the nation but suffered a one-sided loss to Central Missouri in their first match of the day. Both GVSU and Hillsdale will be motivated to claim a quality win over a regional opponent in a match that could have NCAA Tournament qualification impacts down the road depending on how the season plays out.

Photo Courtesy of Florida Southern Athletics