Hillsdale, Mich.- The University of Findlay volleyball team ended the Hillsdale College Chargers' 3,289-day conference tournament winning streak on Friday, Nov. 22 inside of Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena, handing them their first loss since Nov. 21, 2015. The Oilers are headed to the championship game for the first time since 2018 after a stunning 3-2 victory (25-21, 18-25, 25-17, 21-25, 15-13) over the tournament-favorite Chargers. The win not only ends Hillsdale's reign as seven-time defending champions but gives Findlay a path to win their first ever Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Championship.

Findlay came out strong in the opening set, building an early 7-3 lead. Hillsdale battled back to tie the score at 16-16, but the Oilers responded with a 4-1 run to take a 20-17 advantage. The gritty Chargers narrowed the gap with four straight points, bringing the score to 22-21. However, the Oilers closed out the set by scoring the final three points to secure the first frame. The Oilers dominated, hitting 0.353 as a team led by freshman Grace Auer who alone hit 0.636 with eight kills on eleven attempts. 

Hillsdale took charge in the second set, fueled by a nine-point run that pushed their lead to 18-10. From there, the Chargers cruised to a 25-18 win, leveling the match at 1-1.

Much like the first set, the Oilers regained momentum despite an early deficit. A five-point run put them ahead 10-7, and they extended their lead to 18-13, maintaining control the rest of the way. Leading 20-17, Findlay closed the set with five straight points to secure an eight-point victory and a 2-1 advantage in the match.

The Oilers opened the fourth set strong, building a 15-11 lead. However, the home team responded with a six-point run to seize the lead and momentum. The score remained tight, but three consecutive Findlay errors handed the Chargers set point, which they capitalized on to claim a 25-21 victory.

In one of the oldest rivalries in the Midwest region, where Findlay has often found themselves on the other side, the outcome was different tonight. The fifth and final set was tight from the start, with neither team leading by more than two points. With Hillsdale up 13-12, Auer delivered her 20th kill of the night to tie the score. The Oilers then forced an attack error from Hillsdale's freshman Ellie Fles to earn set point. Sophomore Hannah Miller sealed the match with a decisive kill, leading Findlay to a thrilling upset over the Chargers.

As a team the Oilers hit .214 recording 64 kills and making 28 errors. They were able to hold Hillsdale to .210 allowing just 60 kills and forcing 27 errors.
The night was highlighted by a career-best performace from freshman Grace Auer. The Lisbon, Ohio native recorded a season-high 20 kills, while hitting an impressive .350. She maintained a solid stat line recording one ace, a block, and eleven digs. 

First team all-conference selection, sophomore Hannah Miller also had a good night for the Orange and Black. She recroded 17 kills, three aces, and nine digs. Junior Alana Pohlman, who was also named first team all-conference earlier today, recorded double-digit kills, chipping in thirteen which hitting .241. She led the team with three blocks, joined by junior Kenzie Hoelscher and sophomore Abria Lomax, who each also recorded three.

Junior Emma White, who picked up her third first team all-G-MAC award today, ran an efficient offense for UF, amassing 58 assists. She added two blocks and contributed ten digs, while senior libero Ava Doster led the team with 18 digs.

With the win, Findlay will face the winner of Ohio Dominican and Walsh in the final tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 23. That contest will begin at 2pm. The winner of the Great Midwest Volleyball Championship earns an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.