St. Louis, Mo.- The University of Findlay volleyball team's season came to a close inside of the Mark Twain Building on Friday, Dec. 5 after a hard-fought battle in the NCAA Midwest Regional Semifinal. Despite a strong start and multiple chances to swing momentum, the Oilers fell to the University of Indianapolis in four sets, 3-1 (20–25, 25–18, 25–23, 25–23). With the loss Findlay concludes their season with a 24-6 record on the year while Indianapolis advances to tomorrow's NCAA Midwest Regional Final with a 22-11 mark on the season.
Findlay opened the match with confidence, trading points early before UIndy grabbed a slim lead at 17–15. Out of a timeout, junior Hannah Miller sparked a surge with back-to-back service aces, igniting a 7–1 run that flipped the set in favor of the Orange and Black. Seniors Makenna Belcher and Lauren Foerster delivered key kills down the stretch, and the Oilers closed the frame 25–20 to take the early advantage.
The second set began as a tight contest, but the Greyhound's block and transition game shifted momentum midway through. After falling behind 13–7, the Oilers clawed back with key kills from Belcher and a service ace from senior Emma White to pull within 14–14. However, UIndy responded with a decisive 6–1 run, capitalizing on errors and strong swings to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set was a battle from start to finish. The Oilers jumped ahead 9–4 behind an ace and timely kills, but UIndy responded with a 5–0 run to tie the score at 10–10. From there, neither team led by more than two points. Findlay held a 20–19 edge late, but UIndy closed the frame with clutch points to take a 2–1 lead in the match.
Needing to win the fourth set to keep the season alive, the fourth set mirrored the third, tight rallies and constant ties. Findlay built a 17–14 advantage after a kill from senior
Alana Pohlman and a Foerster swing, but UIndy answered with a 6–2 run to reclaim control. Despite a late push to 23–24, the Oilers fell short as UIndy sealed the match on the final point, ending Findlay's season in a hard-fought 3–1 loss.
Findlay finished with 77 kills on 168 attempts, hitting .256, while adding 23 assists, four service aces, and 65 digs, along with six team blocks. UIndy countered with 76 kills on 151 swings, hitting .331, and used nine blocks to control the net. The Greyhound's clip is the highest hitting percentage for the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) squad since mid October.
The right side was anchored by senior and all-region standout Lauren Foerster, who led the Orange and Black with 19 kills while hitting .385. Reflecting on the season, Foerster said, "I am just so proud of how we handle situations, good or bad, and I am most proud of how our team can come together. We did not get swept this season, and that is just a true testament to our fight and battle and our ability to just play."
Senior Makenna Belcher added 16 kills on 51 swings and seven digs in her final match. Looking back on her time at Findlay, Belcher shared, "I couldn't have made a better decision for myself. The memories I have made the past two years have been unforgettable. I will always remember this team specifically… I love each and every single one of these girls, and I am so grateful for this program."
Junior Hanna Miller was a force on the court, recording 14 kills and 13 digs while also adding two service aces and a block. Senior Alana Pohlman capped her career with 12 kills on .333 hitting, contributing an ace and two blocks.
One of the top setters in program history, senior Emma White recorded 54 assists in her final appearance wearing the Orange and Black. She also added 17 digs, a service ace, and a solo block while running an efficient offense. The Tiffin, Ohio, native finishes her career with 5,139 assists, ranking third all-time, and 195 service aces, which rank fourth in program history.
Coach Wick Colchagoff commented on the season, saying, "this group of seniors has had a great run the last two years, and they are above .500 in the NCAA Tournament over that span. Not many seniors can say that. It certainly puts high expectations on the underclassmen on the team, including Lauren, who will be back next year to have a similar season, make the NCAA Tournament, win a round or two, and maybe even go further."
