A lot of fight in the final three sets wasn't enough for the Hillsdale College volleyball team on Saturday, as the Chargers fell to visiting Cedarville 18-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-22 to finish its home and G-MAC opening weekend 0-2.

After a one-sided first set, Hillsdale showed its grit by battling its way back into the match, taking set two by scoring five of the final six points to overcome a 21-20 deficit. Chloe Pierce finished off the set victory and helped Hillsdale tie up the match with back-to-back aces to close out the set.

Cedarville returned the favor in a back-and-forth set three, scoring seven of the final nine points following a 19-19 tie, and seized control early in the decisive set four, leading by as much as 21-13. Hillsdale made a late push behind three kills from Emory Braswell to close within two points, but ran out of road for a comeback as the Yellow Jackets completed the victory.

The Chargers held an edge in both aces and blocks but couldn't overcome a strong hitting night from Cedarville, which hit .270 to Hillsdale's .196 and finished with 65 kills to Hillsdale's 47. That discrepancy proved to be too much for Hillsdale to overcome in the end.

Braswell finished with a 14 kill, 13 dig double-double and two service aces to lead the Chargers offensively, and sophomore Caroline Lanicek hit .440 with 12 kills and four total blocks as well for the Chargers. Adi Sysum added eight kills and four total blocks as well for Hillsdale, while Ella Byrum led the Chargers defensively with 20 digs and Josie TeSlaa added 31 assists.

Hillsdale (2-6, 0-2 G-MAC) will look to rebound next weekend as it faces off against in-state rival Northwood on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in the first event in the battle between the two schools for "The Jack" All Sports traveling trophy.