Hillsdale volleyball improved to 3-0 in conference play by defeating the Northwood University Timberwolves in three sets at home on Saturday. 

“For volleyball, everybody’s kind of a rival because we’ve been at the top for so long,” head coach Chris Gravel said. “Northwood, Findlay, and Cedarville in particular.”

Hillsdale and Northwood were unbeaten in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference going into the game. The Chargers took the first set 33-31 and finished the last two 25-12, 25-19. Hillsdale is in first place in the G-MAC North standings and has an overall record of 8-1.  

Gravel said the first set was filled with energy from both sides of the court, which sent the first set to extra points. 

“They were maybe just a little too hyped for the game, so they were making some uncharacteristic errors,” Gravel said. 

The Chargers’ games leaders in kills for the weekend were senior Lauren Passaglia with 11 kills, senior Marilyn Popplewell with 11 kills, and freshman Ellie Fles with seven kills. The dig leaders for the game against the Timberwolves were senior Amanda Hilliker with 13 digs, redshirt sophomore Chloe Pierce with eight digs, and Popplewell with seven digs. 

Passaglia said the team is playing a new offensive lineup this year, giving her the opportunity to hit more and rack up more kills. 

“It’s been a lot of fun to switch things up and get some different opportunities to challenge myself on the court,” Passaglia said. 

Fles played in her third game for the Chargers on Saturday. She said playing for the Chargers is exciting and relaxing.

“It feels easy for me because I know that my teammates are all around me and will pick me up if I make an error,” Fles said. “I can play relaxed and with confidence, but also have a fun time on the court.”

According to Gravel, the Chargers expected this to be a tough game and went into the game prepared to fight for it. 

“They have some really big hitters there,” Gravel said. “We were hoping that if we could serve tough and keep them out of the system it would go a long way. And after the first set, that’s exactly the way it happened.”

Passaglia said the Chargers came out on Saturday with energy and battled for their win, especially in the first set. 

“We expected a good challenge,” Passaglia said. “They’re a team that typically takes us to four or five sets. So we were ready to work really, really hard.”

Gravel said the Chargers can improvise on the court and find their way to a victory.

“The path doesn’t always present itself to how we need to win,” Gravel said. “There’s a lot of times they’re going to make their own path.”

The Chargers are home at Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena again this weekend. They play the Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers for country and poster giveaway night on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Then, the Chargers will play the Thomas More University Saints on Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. for alumni and poster day. 

“We’re at home again, and that’s great, because our home fans are awesome,” Gravel said.