October 5, 2007 - Thanks to a superb defensive effort, the Hillsdale College volleyball team improved to 9-0 in the GLIAC this season with a 3-0 victory over Northern Michigan University Friday night at Jesse Philips Arena.

The Chargers have won 11 straight matches overall and 29 straight in conference play. The team is 18-4 overall and will host Lake Superior State University at 2 p.m. Saturday, concluding its three-day home weekend set.

The match featured long rallies and high-effort defensive plays by both teams. But Hillsdale in particular made excellent defensive plays at key times that allowed it to shake free of close scores in all three games.

Hillsdale hit an impressive .304 as a team in the opening game, winning 30-23. Game two was close throughout, with NMU holding the lead most of the way. But Charger sophomore Hannah Barrett recorded back-to-back solo blocks that gave momentum and the lead to Hillsdale for good.

NMU led in game three as well, 23-22, but the Chargers hung tough, digging out big attacks from the Wildcats and turning them into points.

Barrett delivered the game-winning kill, and finished with four kills and two solo blocks.

Senior Melissa Bartlett had 16 kills and 17 digs, while sophomore Kittrick Smith also played strong, getting 12 kills, three assists and three digs. Sophomore Emily Benett did a fine job of attacking the ball, and finished with 10 kills, five total blocks and a .400 hitting percentage.

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

Box score