Sept. 15, 2009 - More than two weeks into the 2009 season, the Hillsdale College volleyball team finally played its first home match. And the Chargers made the wait worth it for their fans.

Playing with brutal efficiency throughout the match, Hillsdale topped arch-rival Findlay 3-0 before more than 350 fans at the Jesse Philips Arena. The Chargers, off to their best start since 2006, are 10-1 overall and 3-0 in the GLIAC.

The sophomore combination of Ashlee Crowder and Clara Leutheuser were virtually unstoppable in the match, hitting a very high percentage to lead the Charger offense.

Leutheuser, the reigning GLIAC South Division Player of the Week, finished the match with seven kills and a .545 attack percentage.

Crowder, last year's GLIAC Freshman of the Year, had perhaps her finest match of her career, leading all players with 22 kills vs. just two errors for a .526 attack percentage. She had 20 kills in the match before committing her second attack error. She took some excellent sets from setter Apryl Schmucker, and consistently found gaps in the Oiler defense for points.

There were just five total lead changes in the match, and the Chargers forced the Oilers into a team hitting percentage of .069 for the match.

Junior Sydney Dow once again gave Hillsdale consistent back row play, leading all players with 27 digs while delivering two service aces. Dow and sophomore Morgan Podkul passed the ball effectively throughout the evening, allowing Schmucker and the team's array of hitters quality chances at point-scoring.

Schmucker averaged more than 10 assists per set, leading all players with 32 for the match, in addition to four kills, two service aces and seven digs.

Hillsdale stays home this weekend, hosting South Division contenders Wayne State (Friday) and Northwood (Saturday). Match times are 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively.

Click on the link below for the stats form Tuesday's match.

Chargers 3, Findlay 0