Junior Maizie Brown had 13 kills in the game against Northwood University. Courtesy | Anthony Lupi
The Hillsdale volleyball team beat their G-MAC rival Northwood University Timberwolves in four sets Oct. 6.
Northwood struck first, taking the first three points on a kill, an ace, and an error. Hillsdale marched right back after junior outside hitter Marilyn Popplewell made a kill. The teams made a game in the aftermath. They battled for extra points, with the trailing team never falling below by more than four points. Northwood ultimately took the first set 28-30.
In the second set, junior middle hitter Sydney Sahar made a kill on a set from junior setter and rightside hitter Lauren Passaglia, putting the Chargers ahead for the first point, but Northwood matched. The Chargers and Timberwolves scrapped and traded points one-to-one; then Hillsdale climbed ahead by three points and Northwood matched. Hillsdale overtook Northwood and took the second set 23-19 on a kill by Passaglia.
An attack error in the third set pushed Hillsdale past Northwood, and put the game at what would be the final set.
Northwood slowed down in the fourth set as Hillsdale ran away with nine points to spare and a win for the night.
The Chargers improved to 8-1 in the G-MAC and 14-3 overall.
Sophomore outside hitter Emory Braswell led the team in kills against Northwood, putting down 17 in four sets.
“Friday night’s game was a great opportunity for our team to show everyone how hard we have been working over the past few weeks,” Braswell said. “We always talk about how having fun translates to greater success on the court.”
Popplewell had 15 kills and junior middle hitter Maizie Brown had 13. Their passes came mostly from Passaglia, who had 51 assists.
The defense also chipped in for the win. Senior libero Alli Wiese dug 20 balls. Braswell and senior defensive specialist Audrey Riley contributed nine digs each, and Brown had four blocks.
Braswell said the game against Northwood was a display of the discipline and the intentionality the team has focused on in practice.
The Chargers will play at home Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. against the Maryville University Saints, and again at 3 p.m. against the Michigan Technological University Huskies.
“I am looking forward to building off this win and continuing to put in the work to be the best team we can be,” said Braswell.
