Hillsdale 3, Findlay 1

October 2, 2011 - The University of Findlay volleyball team provided Hillsdale College with its toughest home test yet this season, winning the first set and nearly winning a second before falling to the Chargers.

Hillsdale, ranked 11th in the nation pulled out a 3-1 win over its South Division rivals Sunday afternoon at Jesse Philips Arena. The Chargers are 11-2 overall and 9-1 in the GLIAC with the win, their third straight.

The Oilers played with energy, power and emotion throughout the match, and challenged Hillsdale to match that energy level. The Oilers won a back-and-forth first set 29-27, the first time all season Hillsdale has lost a set at home.

The Chargers responded with better defense, forcing the Oilers to commit more errors in the second set, a 25-16 win for Hillsdale. The Oilers and Chargers once again played nip and tuck in the third set, this time it was Hillsdale coming up with the big plays in the clutch to win the set 25-21.

The Chargers' outstanding blocking started to take the match over in the fourth set. Three of the team's final five points of the match came off clean, hard blocks by Hillsdale.

Hillsdale outblocked Findlay 18-7 in the match, led by 12 total blocks from senior middle hitter Clara Leutheuser. Three of her blocks were of the solo variety.

Senior outside hitter Ashlee Crowder was dialed in the entire game, and she finished with a season-high 21 kills. She hit an amazing .486 for the match and had four solo blocks.

Setter Apryl Schmucker had one of the most productive four-set matches of her career, finishing with 50 assists. She also had five digs and three block assists.

Senior libero Morgan Podkul provided more steady play in the back row, leading the Chargers with 21 digs. Sophomore Caitlin Kopmeyer had 16 digs and six kills. Leutheuser had a season-best three service aces.

Hillsdale will be back home this weekend, playing homecoming weekend matches against Lake Superior State (Friday) and Northwood (Sunday).