VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW: Chargers face crucial home weekend set vs. Ashland, Findlay
September 20, 2007 - The last time Hillsdale and Ashland faced each other on the volleyball court, it was November 2006, and the Eagles shocked the Chargers by ending their season in the regional semifinals.
The two teams meet again Friday night, and while the stakes aren't quite as high, this match figures to have conference ands regional playoff implications down the road. Friday's match, at Jesse Philips Arena, will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Hillsdale welcomes GLIAC South rival Findlay for a 2 p.m. tilt.
Ashland gave Hillsdale its only losses of the 2006 season, both coming in the semifinals of postseason tournament. The returning Charger players remember those losses well, but this is a new year and both teams again are among the best in the nation.
Ashland comes into the match ranked 10th in the country in Division II, while the Chargers are 17th. Ashland is the sixth ranked team Hillsdale has played in just 16 matches this season.
The Eagles have picked up where they left off last season, going 14-1 to start this season. The only loss the team suffered was to Northern Kentucky in August. Ashland mowed down Findlay 3-1 Tuesday night in its last match.
Ashland is led by four-year starting setter Lynsey Warren, who leads the conference in assists per game. One of her favorite targets is sophomore Amanda Stefanski, who leads the GLIAC in hitting percentage (.418) and blocks per game (1.49). Senior Mary Kate Glowe is one of the GLIAC's most talented all-around players, while Carolina Gonclaves helps solidify the team defensively.
Hillsdale swept Ashland in the regular season last year, by scores of 3-1 in Ohio and 3-0 at home. The Chargers own a 23-match GLIAC winning streak, dating back to October 22, 2005. Ashland was the last team to defeat Hillsdale in a regular season GLIAC match, on that date.
The Chargers are 12-4 on the season, an excellent start considering the youth in its lineup and the challenging schedule it's faced so far. Both Hillsdale and Ashland are 3-0 in the GLIAC, and the winner of Friday's match will get an early upper hand on the South Division race.
Senior Melissa Bartlett (pictured) is enjoying a terrific campaign
in her second season with the Chargers. She leads the GLIAC in kills per game (5.17) and ranks fifth nationally with that mark.
Junior setter Stephanie Booms is the reigning GLIAC South Division Player of the Week, and is second to Warren in assists per game. She also ranks 10th nationally in that category, and has continued her fine all-around play this season.
Findlay is a powerful offensive team who ranks in the top five in the conference in kills, blocks and opponent's hitting percentage. Right-side hitter Kelsey Wesaw has improved her game this season and ranks among the top hitters in the conference.
Both of this weekend's matches will be webcast, courtesy of B2Networks. Click on the link below to watch this weekend's home volleyball matches.
Hillsdale College volleyball webcasts
The two teams meet again Friday night, and while the stakes aren't quite as high, this match figures to have conference ands regional playoff implications down the road. Friday's match, at Jesse Philips Arena, will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Hillsdale welcomes GLIAC South rival Findlay for a 2 p.m. tilt.
Ashland gave Hillsdale its only losses of the 2006 season, both coming in the semifinals of postseason tournament. The returning Charger players remember those losses well, but this is a new year and both teams again are among the best in the nation.
Ashland comes into the match ranked 10th in the country in Division II, while the Chargers are 17th. Ashland is the sixth ranked team Hillsdale has played in just 16 matches this season.
The Eagles have picked up where they left off last season, going 14-1 to start this season. The only loss the team suffered was to Northern Kentucky in August. Ashland mowed down Findlay 3-1 Tuesday night in its last match.
Ashland is led by four-year starting setter Lynsey Warren, who leads the conference in assists per game. One of her favorite targets is sophomore Amanda Stefanski, who leads the GLIAC in hitting percentage (.418) and blocks per game (1.49). Senior Mary Kate Glowe is one of the GLIAC's most talented all-around players, while Carolina Gonclaves helps solidify the team defensively.
Hillsdale swept Ashland in the regular season last year, by scores of 3-1 in Ohio and 3-0 at home. The Chargers own a 23-match GLIAC winning streak, dating back to October 22, 2005. Ashland was the last team to defeat Hillsdale in a regular season GLIAC match, on that date.
The Chargers are 12-4 on the season, an excellent start considering the youth in its lineup and the challenging schedule it's faced so far. Both Hillsdale and Ashland are 3-0 in the GLIAC, and the winner of Friday's match will get an early upper hand on the South Division race.
Senior Melissa Bartlett (pictured) is enjoying a terrific campaign
in her second season with the Chargers. She leads the GLIAC in kills per game (5.17) and ranks fifth nationally with that mark. Junior setter Stephanie Booms is the reigning GLIAC South Division Player of the Week, and is second to Warren in assists per game. She also ranks 10th nationally in that category, and has continued her fine all-around play this season.
Findlay is a powerful offensive team who ranks in the top five in the conference in kills, blocks and opponent's hitting percentage. Right-side hitter Kelsey Wesaw has improved her game this season and ranks among the top hitters in the conference.
Both of this weekend's matches will be webcast, courtesy of B2Networks. Click on the link below to watch this weekend's home volleyball matches.
Hillsdale College volleyball webcasts
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MI
49242
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