After battling through a couple of hard-fought, five-set matches this weekend, the Hillsdale College volleyball team extended its winning streak to five straight matches. With a majority of the season lying ahead, the Chargers aren’t done yet — and for head coach Chris Gravel, five matches isn’t enough.
“Five in a row doesn’t mean anything until about 15 or 20,” Gravel said.
The winning weekend boosts Hillsdale to a 12-2 overall record, and 5-1 in the GLIAC. Gravel said the long matches were beneficial for the Chargers at this point in the season.
“Probably, for growth, it was good that we won in that way this past weekend,” Gravel said. “Although you never go into a weekend wanting to win that way.”
Both the Malone University Pioneers and the Walsh University Cavaliers made the Chargers fight for these wins, pushing each of the weekend’s matches into five sets. Aside from duration, however, the weekend’s matches unfolded quite differently.
Friday’s match didn’t start in the Chargers’ favor. Malone got away with wins in set one and two, 25-20 and 25-22, respectively.
“We were making all the points, they just weren’t for us,” Gravel said.
The Pioneers were able to take set one with only six kills. The Chargers had tallied 11 kills, but their 12 errors led them to the loss.
“We came to Malone with the idea in our heads that we already had them defeated,” sophomore outside hitter Kara Vyletel said. “They came out with all they had and outworked us.”
After set two, however, Gravel said the team started its 65-point countdown of “countable points.” Going into set three, the Chargers had zero.
“The only points that count are the ones you get credit for. In losses you don’t get points,” Gravel said. “We had 65 to go, and we counted it down to all 65, and we played quite well.”
The Chargers powered to a 25-15 win in set three, and a 25-18 win in set four. The Pioneers, however, were determined to finish what they’d started. Both teams played tight in set five, but the Chargers’ .300 hitting percentage and 10 kills edged them to a 15-11 win.
Vyletel started her smashing weekend performance on Friday, leading the Chargers with 16 kills. Sophomore right side hitter Paige VanderWall added 13.
On Saturday, the Chargers headed to Walsh University, hoping to end the Cavaliers winning streak. Walsh had defeated Malone on Tuesday and Northwood on Friday.
The Cavaliers came out tough, edging to a 25-22 win in set one. In set two, Hillsdale reversed the score then carried the momentum into set three, too. Walsh, however, wouldn’t go down without a fight — the Cavaliers fought to a 25-21 win in set four to tie the match.
“They were on a roll, and we could see why,” Gravel said. “They were getting every ball up, serving tough, passing well. They were everywhere. It was good volleyball.”
In set five, however, Hillsdale took charge, springing to an 8-3 lead. At this point, freshman Emily Lachmann subbed in and served an ace. Then, the teams switched sides.
“I said, ‘We just have to get that first point after the switch,’” Gravel said, “and she served another ace. Back-to-back aces to really put the pressure on the other side. It really helped us run away with that final set.”
The Chargers finished the match with a 15-6 win in set five. Senior middle hitter Kyra Rodi said the tight match was both fun and helpful for the Chargers.
“It was one of the first games all season in which it was a battle back and forth all match,” Rodi said. “In set five there was no fear of failure, only an expectation of winning, and so we were able to trust everyone on the court to take care of their job.”
Vyletel continued her shining weekend, leading the team with a career-high 21 kills on Saturday afternoon. Defensively, the Chargers led a well-balanced response to the relentless Cavaliers: four Chargers tallied more than 17 digs.
Though the Chargers are proud of their winning weekend, Rodi said her squad is ready to move forward. Hillsdale will host two of the top teams in the South Division this weekend: Wayne State on Friday at 7 p.m. and Findlay on Saturday at 2 p.m. Both Wayne State and Findlay carry 6-1 records — the best in the conference — and a reputation for strong serving. Wayne State leads the conference in serving, Findlay is a close second. Fortunately for the Chargers, Hillsdale is a close third.
“They both have size and power, and they’re very good offensive teams,” Gravel said. We’re really going to have to step up to the challenge to be in the right position on defense and to be able to make adjustments as the matches go on.”