A strong performance up front that included 10 blocks helped the Hillsdale College volleyball team get back on track in G-MAC play on Friday night in a sweep of visiting Kentucky Wesleyan.

The Chargers outhit the Panthers .218 to .099, with 11 fewer attack errors, and a 10-3 edge in blocks paid huge dividends at the net for Hillsdale in the victory.

The Chargers rolled to an easy victory in set one, hitting .250 with 15 kills to Kentucky Wesleyan's seven in a 25-16 win. Set two was closer as Hillsdale shook up its lineup, with the Panthers leading for much of the set, including 18-15 and 22-21 late. Kills by Ella Vandermark and Ellie Fles and an ace by Taylor Cook helped Hillsdale take a 25-22 victory and a two set lead. The Panthers had 15 kills to Hillsdale's nine in the set but the Chargers made up the difference thanks to four blocks, five KWC service errors and two Chargers aces.

Hillsdale used a big 5-1 run to break a 10-10 tie in set three and pull away, thanks to an ace by Elizabeth Andaloro and a pair of kills by Taylor Cook. Grace Drake added three kills and two blocks to help Hillsdale press the advantage and seal the match with a 25-20 set three victory.

On a night when the Chargers used a different lineup in every set, Hillsdale showed its offensive depth by spreading out the attack, with 11 players recording at least one kill. Freshlan Ella Vandermark led the way with an excellent performance, finishing with seven kills, a service ace and eight block assists on .375 hitting, while Ellie Fles chipped in six kills and two total blocks and Taylor Cook added five kills and five digs.

Ella Byrum had a solid night in the back row with 11 digs and two service aces, while Grace Drake chipped in six digs and four total blocks to go along with a team-high 15 assists and three kills as well. Ivy Rex also got a set at setter for the Chargers, chipping in 10 assists, three total blocks and four digs. 

Hillsdale is now 6-7 overall, 2-3 in the G-MAC and will look to get back to .500 tomorrow in a home match against Thomas More at 5 p.m. That match is a part of Community Weekend for Hillsdale and will include free admission for all attendees.