Box Score Hillsdale, Mich.- The University of Findlay volleyball team has officially returned to its winning ways, defeating the HIllsdale College Chargers 3-2 (30-28, 25-21, 20-25, 14-25,15-9) on the road, Sunday, Oct. 22. In a rivalry that dates back over 25 years, the Oilers were able to come out on top for the first time since November 30, 2017 where the two teams faced each other in the NCAA playoffs. With the victory, the Oilers improve to 16-6 on the season and 9-3 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. Meanwhile, Hillsdale falls to 18-5 on the year with a 10-2 record in the league.
On the day, the Oilers hit .216, recording 70 kills and making 29 errors. Hillsdale hit .253, recording just 58 kills but making only 18 errors.
The first set was back-and-forth with neither team taking more than a three point lead. In fact, the set was tied nineteen different times. With the score tied at 28, the Oilers put the set away after back-to-back kills by freshman Kirsten Bomholt.
Findlay's momentum continued into the second set, as they led the majority of the time. Their largest lead came at the 22-18 mark. However, three consecutive errors by the Oilers brought the Chargers back into the set. With the score at 22-20 the Oilers were able to secure three of the next four points to go up 2-0 in the match.
The Oilers led the third set midway through but an 8-2 run by the Chargers gave them the momentum they needed to force the fourth set. Hillsdale controlled the fourth set, taking the lead early- one which they kept the remainder of the set.
Hillsdale jumped out to a 4-0 lead to start the fifth set. However, the Oilers didn't go away easily as they came back tying the match at 5-5. From there, the set would be tied twice more. But the Oilers ended the set and the match by going on a 7-1 run.
Leading the Oilers offensively was freshman Kirsten Bomholt. Bomholt recorded a career-high 25 kills while hitting .310. Bomholt's 25 kills comes close to the program record for kills which is held by assistant coach Hannah Tong who recorded 31 kills against Malone.
Freshman Hannah Miller contributed twelve kills. Sophomores Alana Pohlman and Lauren Foerster both chipped in double-digit kills with eleven and ten respectively. Leading the offensive efforts was sophomore Emma White who racked up 54 assists.
Defensively, the Oilers were led by Miller who recorded a team-high 18 digs. White also contributed with 16 digs. Junior libero
Ava Doster recorded 13 digs. Sophomore
Kenzie Hoelscher led Findlay in blocks, making two on the day. Both Doster and Hoelscher also recorded two aces.
The Oilers will be back in action Friday, Oct. 27 as they take on G-MAC newcomer Thomas More at 7pm in Croy Gymnasium.
