Grand Rapids, Mich.- The University of Findlay volleyball team kicked off day one of the Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic, Friday, Sep. 12 as they took on #16 Gannon in the morning before facing host Davenport, in the night cap. The Oilers carried their early-season momentum, winning both matches to improve to 4-1.

Game One vs. #16 Gannon (W 3-0)
In their first match of the day, the Oilers picked up a sweep of the sixteenth-ranked Golden Knights (25-21, 25-23, 25-23).

Findlay opened the first set with a five-point run and maintained control throughout, never letting the margin drop below four. Gannon couldn't close the gap and fell by four.

The second set was tightly contested with both teams trading points. A late 6-1 run gave the Oilers a 22-18 advantage, but Gannon rallied to close within one at 23-22. Senior Makenna Belcher then delivered back-to-back kills to secure the set for Findlay.

The third set swung in Gannon's favor early as they held a 19-15 lead, but Findlay responded with a 7-3 run, including five straight points, to even the score at 22. After the Golden Knights took the next point, the Oilers closed with three in a row to claim the set and the match.

Findlay finished with 44 kills and 16 errors for a .220 hitting percentage, while Gannon tallied 37 kills with 21 errors to hit just .120.

Seniors Alana Pohlman and Makenna Belcher led the way with 10 kills apiece. Pohlman posted a .563 hitting percentage and added six blocks, while Belcher contributed 12 digs to round out her performance.

Senior Emma White guided the Findlay offense with 31 assists and added 10 digs, while junior Hannah Miller led the team with 17 digs.

Game Two vs. Davenport (W 3-1)
The second game of the day was against, host Davenport, winning over the Panthers 3-1 (25-23, 31-29, 25-20, 25-22). 

Despite dropping the first set, Findlay was able to jump out to a large lead at 18-11 midway through the second. DAvenport would use a rally of their own to bring the score back to an even 23-23. Over the next few points, both teams would fend off a total of seven different set points. A service error and an attack error from the Panthers would give the Oilers the set in extra points.

The third and fourth sets were tightly contested, but the Oilers prevailed in both to secure a 3-1 victory.

Findlay finished with 66 kills and 25 errors for a .214 hitting percentage, while Davenport tallied 55 kills with 20 errors to hit just .182.

The Oilers were led by Makenna Belcher, who recorded a season-high 18 kills and also paced the team with 18 digs. Hannah Miller matched her dig total while adding 16 kills, and Alana Pohlman contributed 15 kills with a .355 hitting percentage. Senior Lauren Foerster added 13 kills, and Emma White ran the offense with a season-high 56 assists.

Findlay will be back in action as they face Central Missouri at 11am to conclude the Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic.