Ludeman Powers DC to Five-Set Win Against Rose-Hulman

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College pulled out a thrilling five-set victory over Rose-Hulman on Sunday afternoon behind Chelsea Ludeman's third-straight match with at least 19 kills and 21.5 points.

Ludeman nailed 19 kills in 44 swings for a .273 hitting percentage and added five digs and six total blocks in the 25-19, 9-25, 26-24, 21-25, 15-11 Yellow Jacket victory. The Napoleon High product has led DC in kills and points throughout her freshman season but boosted those numbers to 4.5 kills, 1.7 digs, 1.3 blocks and 0.2 aces per set over the team's last three matches, while posting a .379 hitting percentage.

The return of Jessica Tietje to the Defiance lineup also proved to be a valuable addition, as the junior middle blocker slammed six kills in 19 attempts and added six blocks and four service aces. Marlea Rolander chipped in eight kills and a pair of blocks, while Kelsey Ferguson had 30 assists and nine digs.

Defiance improves to 12-16 overall and 3-5 in the HCAC with the victory over Rose-Hulman (16-8, 4-4 HCAC) and will play in front of a home crowd for the final time in 2010 when it hosts Bluffton (19-6, 5-2 HCAC) on Wednesday at 7:00 pm.

DC will honor its senior class of Heather Bradshaw, Julie Brunsman, Kelsey Ferguson and Sara Porter prior to the start of the match and all fans are encouraged to wear purple to support the Yellow Jackets. Fans attending Wednesday's match will also receive coupons from Cold Stone Creamery.