Senior Chloe Pierce serves during Senior Day: Courtesy | Kenneth Gaudet

The Hillsdale volleyball team took the win in a five-set match against Walsh University Nov. 7, and swept Malone University at home Nov. 8.

The Chargers now stand 10-3 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and 12-10 overall, with senior Adi Sysum also named the GMAC North Division Volleyball Athlete of the Week.

The Chargers started their first set against the Walsh Cavaliers with 15 kills in a 25-18 set win. The Chargers lost the second set and were close to letting the Cavaliers take the third, trailing 23-19. A 4-0 run by the Chargers tied the set at 23, and the team fought off two set points to get to 25-all. 

Freshman Grace Drake helped the Chargers win the match with two back-to-back kills, ending the set 27-25. 

“Set three was definitely an important point in the game for us,” Drake said. “We showed that we had lots of fight left in us and the grit we would need to finish the game, which both showed up in the last set.” 

The Cavaliers took set four 25-21, forcing the game into set five, which the Chargers took 15-6. 

“In the fifth set, senior Josie TeSlaa was very aggressive with her serve, which made it easier to set up a great block,” sophomore Ellie Fles said. “Once we had the momentum, we didn’t look back, and it just felt like big play after big play. I’m proud of our resilience and grit.”

The Chargers won Saturday’s game against the Malone Pioneers in a 25-15, 25-14, 25-13 sweep on Senior Day. 

The Chargers played a strong offensive match with 45 kills, only trailing twice, but never more than two points each time.

Hillsdale celebrated its four seniors – Emory Braswell, Sysum, Chloe Pierce, and TeSlaa – with a victory and a postgame ceremony honoring their contribution to the team. 

“It meant so much that so many people came to support us and that our team was so international about making us feel special,” Pierce said. “It was a bittersweet feeling to think that may be my last time stepping out on our home court, but it was so special to get to do it with this group of girls. I felt so loved this weekend and am full of gratitude for all this program and these girls have taught me after four years here.” 

Head coach Chris Gravel said he enjoyed this year’s Senior Day, and he is grateful his assistant coaches had the idea to hold the ceremony after the game. 

“It was my favorite because we could spend more time with them,” Gravel said. “It wasn’t rushed, and the players could stay focused on the match during the match, and then worry about their emotions after. The seniors are great — I don’t want to think about them leaving.”

Hillsdale has two more regular-season matches remaining before the GMAC tournament. The Chargers will travel to Ohio Nov. 14 to play Tiffin University before wrapping up the 2025 regular-season with a game against Findlay University in Ohio Nov. 15.

Gravel said the team is excited for the GMAC tournament, but will continue to focus on the games right in front of them.

“Our focus is on our next matches and getting things done,” Gravel said.