September 29, 2007 - The Hillsdale College volleyball team solidified its hold on first place in the GLIAC South Division Saturday, thanks to a 3-1 win over Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa. Saturday afternoon. The Chargers are now on a nine-match winning streak and are 16-4 overall, with a 7-0 GLIAC mark.

Hillsdale buzzed through Mercyhurst in the first two games, 30-13 and 30-26, only to lose game three, 32-30. The Chargers recovered nicely, grabbing a 14-3 lead in the fourth game en route to a 30-20 victory-clinching win.

Thanks to Grand Valley's 3-2 win over Ashland Saturday, Hillsdale now holds a two-game lead in the South Division. The Chargers have wins over every team in the South Division so far this season. Next weekend, Hillsdale hosts the three Upper Peninsula schools, starting with a Thursday match against Michigan Tech.

Against Mercyhurst, senior Melissa Bartlett recorded her fourth 20-kill match in the last five outings, leading all players with 27 kills. Her kill total is two short of her high while wearing a Charger uniform. Seven other players had at least four kills in the match, including seven from freshman middle hitter Amanda Geelhoed. Sophomores Kittrick Smith and Emily Bennett each had eight kills, while Bennett hit .316 for the match.

Junior Stephanie Booms had 54 assists, a very high total for a four-game match. She also served a team-high 29 times and had two service aces. Senior Megan Howard added 24 digs, while Bartlett had 16.

Hillsdale has now won 27 straight conference matches, dating back to October 2005.

To view the box score, click on the link below.

Box score