Charger volleyball swept the Tiffin University Dragons 3-0 on Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinal match. The Chargers hosted the match at Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena and 397 people were in attendance.

 

The Chargers, who were the top seed in the tournament, beat the eighth-seed Dragons in three sets, winning 25-23, 25-15, and 25-22.

 

“The first game was really close. We were clicking pretty well on set two, but game three we had to grind too,” head coach Chris Gravel said.

 

Top kill leaders for the Chargers were seniors Marilyn Popplewell with 14 kills, Lauren Passaglia with 11 kills, and Mazie Brown with 10 kills. Top dig leaders were senior Amanda Hilliker with 11 digs, Popplewell with nine digs, and redshirt sophomore Chloe Pierce with eight kills.

 

“We played with a lot of heart,” Gravel said. “You know, we have people playing injured. We have people that want to be in there that can’t be, and they just come together as a team and get past that.”

 

Sophomore Chloe Pierce said establishing the middles early on in the match helped the team to spread out its offense early and score.

 

“We really want to have a ‘take care of business’ mindset and go in with lots of confidence to get the job done.”

 

On Friday the Chargers will face the University of Findlay Oilers at 5 p.m. at home in the G-MAC Tournament Semifinal match. The Oilers are currently the fourth seed. If the Chargers advance on Friday, they will play either the Walsh University Cavaliers or the Ohio Dominican University Panthers at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at home. This gives the Chargers the opportunity for their eight-straight G-MAC Tournament title.

 

According to a Hillsdale Chargers press release, this is the third match the Chargers and Oilers will play against each other this season, with the Chargers winning the first two matches.

 

“This is the second year in a row we’ve met up with this team in the semifinals,” Gravel said. “Last year, it was a phenomenal match. We’re just always having a fun time. So I’m just excited and really proud of the team. Both people on the court and off the court.”