The Basics
Score: #25 Saginaw Valley 3, Hillsdale 1
Records: SVSU (14-3, 6-3 GLIAC) | Hillsdale (13-3, 7-2 GLIAC)
Location: Potter Arena - Hillsdale, Mich.
HILLSDALE, Mich. - Coming off a 3-1 Friday night loss at the hands of the University of Findlay Oilers, the 25th-ranked Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team bounced back in a big way, posting a 3-1 win over the Hillsdale Chargers on Saturday afternoon.
The Cards jumped out to a 1-0 lead after posting a .333 hitting percentage in the first set, claiming a 25-22 decision over the Chargers.
SVSU would extend the lead out to 2-0 with a dominant second frame where the visitors hit for an astounding .619, holding Hillsdale to a percentage of .030 to cruise to a 25-11 win.
The Chargers fought back, closing the gap a little with a solid 25-14 win to make the score just 2-1 in SVSU's favor.
A narrow 25-23 victory in the fourth set, however, got Saginaw Valley its third and final point needed, sealing the win.
Inside the Boxscore
- The Cardinals had a season-high 22 blocks in the match, besting their previous high of 21 they had against Truman State on September 12.
- Kaylee Schmitt had another huge game for SV, posting a match-best 17 kills with a .467 hitting percentage. She added three blocks in the contest.
- Brooke Tiller had her second straight match with 23 digs, which was a match-high against the Chargers.
- Tamara Heller had 12 kills and 13 digs, hitting at a .312 clip while adding four blocks on the defensive end.
- Morgan Eddy tied a season and career-high with eight blocks for the Cards.
- Kelly Vellucci had 41 assists in the match, adding 14 digs and a pair of blocks.
- Emily Nieman had three service aces on the afternoon, upping her total to 18 for the season.
- Emily Wolfert led HC with 17 kills (.429) while Ienalle Beaman had 21 digs.
- Hillsdale came into the match tied with Findlay for the GLIAC South Division lead with a 7-1 record.
Chili's "Player of the Match"
Heller earned the Chili's "Player of the Match" honor with her 12 kills, 13 digs, four blocks for the Cardinals.
From SVSU Head Coach Will Stanton
"Our serving was solid today and our blocking really stepped it up in the later sets. We struggled with consistency in our offense but we worked hard enough to overcome it today and claim a big victory."
Up Next for the SVSU...
The Cardinals play next at the annual Crossover Tournament, which features teams from the GLIAC and GLVC, as well as several teams from the GMAC. SVSU will play Friday and Saturday in Aurora, Illinois. Match times and opponents are yet to be determined for the tournament.