September 20, 2008 - The Wayne State University volleyball team became the second team this weekend to end a long losing streak to Hillsdale College, defeating the Chargers 3-1 at Detroit's Matthaie Center Saturday afternoon.

Hillsdale lost both matches on the road this weekend, and are now 11-4 overall and 3-2 in the GLIAC. Wayne State is also 3-2 in conference play.

The Chargers committed 15 service errors in the match, which was a primary reason for the loss. The loss marked the first time since Oct. 22, 2005 that Hillsdale lost a GLIAC match on the road in less than five sets.

The Warriors won the first two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-16. Hillsdale bounced back to win the third set 25-20. Wayne State won a thrilling fourth set, 29-27. The set required four extra points before a winner was decided.

The stat sheet revealed a number of advantages for the Chargers. Hillsdale had 19 more kills than Wayne State as a team (70-51), and had 21 more assists as a team (66-45). But the team's 15 service errors, compared to two aces, represented a huge negative 13 points against Hillsdale over the course of the match. The Warriors had six service aces as a team, compared to four errors.

Wayne State also ran an effective offense, hitting .315 for the match, one of the best marks a Hillsdale opponent has achieved for a match this season. The Warriors committed just 11 attack errors in the entire match.

Hillsdale jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth set, but Wayne State responded with a 9-2 run to take a 10-7 lead. The Warriors led throughout the fourth set, but Hillsdale came back to tie the set at 25-25. Senior Jamie Murray delivered a kill that put the Chargers ahead, 26-25, and with the ball for set point, ready to force a fifth and deciding set. But Wayne State would score four of the match's final five points to earn its first win over Hillsdale since November 2003.

Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Bigney built upon her strong match Friday at Northwood with a season-high 20 kills Saturday. Junior Kittrick Smith added 13 kills, three digs and two assists in the match, turning in one of her best efforts of the season.

Freshmen Ashlee Crowder and Clara Leutheuser combined for 23 kills in the match. Leutheuser, the team's best blocker, had just one block assist in the match.

The Chargers return home next weekend to host a pair of strong North Division opponents, Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech, at Jesse Philips Arena.

Click on the link below for stats from Saturday's match.

Box score