The Game
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The University of Findlay women's volleyball team has advanced to the NCAA Division II Volleyball Playoffs for the seventh time in program history. After winning the first conference title in program history, the Oilers earned an automatic qualifying spot, ultimately receiving the sixth-seed in the eight team Midwest Regional. 

The tournament, which will take place at the top-seeded Ferris State University, will be held December 5-7 inside Bulldog Arena in Big Rapids, Michigan. The Midwest Regional Quarterfinal pits the sixth-seeded Findlay Oilers against Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) counterpart, the third-seeded Hillsdale Chargers.

Hillsdale and Findlay share a storied and competitive rivalry that spans decades and multiple shared conferences, tracing back to their time in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Since 1998, the Chargers hold a 37-21 advantage over the Oilers, though the teams are evenly matched at 3-3 in their last six meetings across two seasons. Veteran coaches Chris Gravel of Hillsdale and Wick Colchagoff of Findlay, both part of a select group of twelve active NCAA DII coaches with over 600 career wins, bring a unique dynamic to the rivalry as respected competitors and longtime friends. This latest clash marks the programs' first NCAA Tournament meeting since 2017, which was also the last time the Oilers reached the Midwest Regional.

This marks the fourth meeting of the two teams this season with their last contest coming in the G-MAC Semifinals nearly two weeks ago. Despite falling twice during the regular season, Findlay earned its revenge, ending the Chargers' 21-match unbeaten streak in the Great Midwest Tournament. 

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Tickets
Tickets for Findlay vs. Hillsdale

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Video streaming of the contest will be produced by Ferris State University and streamed on FloVolleyball. Viewers can watch, free of charge.
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Findlay Oilers (22-8, 11-4 G-MAC) | #6 Seed
2024 Findlay Volleyball Coaching Staff
The Oilers are brimming with hope and confidence as they prepare for their first NCAA Regional appearance in seven years, fresh off their first conference championship in program history. Though some may call their victory in the Great Midwest Tournament an "upset," the team has proven they belong after a successful regular season, culminating in a historic conference triumph.

Findlay is averaging 14.1 kills per match, which ranks 18th nationally in Division II and third in the region. They also hold one of the best hitting percentages in the country at .260 which ranks second in the region, only behind Ferris State. This season, Findlay has delivered three matches with a hitting percentage of .400 or higher.

Sophomore Hannah Miller leads the Oilers' offense with her all-around play. The six-rotation outside hitter has been a key force for the Orange and Black, recording 410 kills this season at an impressive 3.80 kills per set, ranking 13th in the region. A native of Tiffin, Ohio, Miller also averages 2.2 digs per set and excels as Findlay's top serve receiver.

Two of the best middle hitters in the region, juniors Alana Pohlman and Kenzie Hoelscher anchor the net for the Oilers. Pohlman contributes 2.91 kills per set and leads the team with 0.82 blocks per set. Hoelscher, meanwhile, boasts the Midwest region's fifth-highest hitting percentage at .361, averaging 2.58 kills per set. She is also a standout server, leading the region with 56 aces at a rate of 0.52 per set.

Freshman Grace Auer and sophomore Abria Lomax are also quality options for the Orange and Black.

Junior Emma White, an AVCA all-region selection, orchestrates the offense as one of the region's top setters. She averages 11.39 assists per set, ranking third in the region, and has totaled 1,230 assists this season, placing her 12th nationally in Division II.

Findlay has won at least one match in four of its previous six NCAA Tournament appearances, but will have to overcome a revenge-minded Hillsdale squad in a first-round rematch to duplicate that feat this weekend.

About the Opponent –  Hillsdale Chargers (22-4, 14-1 G-MAC) | #3 Seed
2024 Hillsdale Volleyball Coaching Staff

An upset loss to Findlay in the semifinal kept the top team in the G-MAC regular season from an eighth-straight G-MAC Tournament crown, but Hillsdale is back in the NCAA Tournament for the seventh straight season and looking to avenge that loss against the Oilers.

The Chargers return a deep and talented roster full of meaningful postseason experience in 2024 as they look to return to the Midwest Regional Final for the first time since 2021 and bring home what would be the program's third regional title.

Hillsdale is averaging 13.5 kills per match, which ranks 37th nationally in Division II and sixth in the region. They also hold one of the best hitting percentages in the country at .250 which ranks third in the region, only behind Ferris State and Findlay. 

The Chargers boast a wealth of experienced attacking talent, headlined by D2CCA and AVCA All-Region selection Marilyn Popplewell, who averages 3.75 kills per set, ranking 14th in the region. She also contributes defensively, adding 3.17 digs per set.

Senior Maizie Brown, returning for a fifth season, adds another veteran presence in the middle. She contributes 2.06 kills per set and leads the team with 1.02 blocks per set. Complementing these two standouts are outside hitters Marcelina Gorny and Greta Wise, along with middles Sydney Sahr and Adi Sysum, providing Hillsdale with a deep and versatile offensive arsenal.

Directing the attack for the third straight season is senior setter and AVCA all-region honoree Lauren Passaglia. The talented left-hander's hitting chops and versatility allow Hillsdale to flow freely into a variety of offensive sets and make the Chargers difficult to defend. Junior Josie TeSlaa also plays setter for Hillsdale and can play at the same time as Passaglia, giving the Chargers an impressive array of options when the ball is on their side of the court. 

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Links
NCAA
NCAA Division II Volleyball
NCAA Division II Stats
NCAA DII Midwest Regional- Tournament Central
Great Midwest Athletic Conference