Hillsdale, Mich .- The University of Findlay volleyball team secured a commanding 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 27-25) sweep over the Hillsdale College Chargers on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena. With the victory, the Oilers improve to 18-8 on the season and 13-2 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. Meanwhile, Hillsdale falls to 15-12 overall and 10-5 in league action. It is the fourth win in the last six meetings against the Chargers, Findlay's North Division rival.
The game is the final of the regular-season for the Oilers, which clinched the G-MAC Division title last night in Midland, Mich.
Findlay opened the match with overwhelming momentum, taking the first two sets with ease as they held the Chargers to negative or near-zero hitting percentages.
The third set proved to be a battle, with Hillsdale building a commanding 16-8 lead midway through the frame. Findlay slowly chipped away at the deficit, eventually facing set point down 24-22. The Oilers responded under pressure with a Barhorst kill and a block by Lauren Foerster to tie the score at 24-24. After trading points, Foerster delivered a kill to give Findlay a 26-25 edge, and Smith provided the match-clinching kill on the next rally for the 27-25 victory.
As a team, the Oilers outhit the Chargers significantly, posting a .261 hitting percentage compared to Hillsdale's .044. Findlay also commanded the net, tallying 17 block assists to Hillsdale's 10.
The Findlay offense was powered by a balanced attack, with Lauren Foerster, Hannah Miller, and Stephanie Smith each recording 12 kills. Foerster led all players with a .440 hitting percentage and contributed five block assists. Smith was highly efficient, hitting .370. Miller anchored the team on both sides of the ball, securing a double-double by adding a team-high 13 digs to her offensive output.
Setters Zoya Winkelfoos and Kirsten Bomholt directed the Findlay offense, dishing out 19 and 10 assists, respectively. Defensively, Claire Schoenberger matched Hillsdale's Chloe Pierce with 12 digs, while Ragan Greeneisen chipped in 11 digs to keep the Chargers at bay. Victoria Mescher added a presence at the net with a team-high five block assists.
The Oilers will now await tournament seeding for the G-MAC Championship. Findlay is guaranteed at least one home match which will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
