Yellow Jackets Defeat HCAC Foes in First Night of Season

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Defiance College volleyball team got off to its best start since 2005 on Friday evening, winning its opening matches against Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opponents Anderson and Franklin by scores of 3-1 and 3-0 respectively.

In the first match of the evening, the Yellow Jackets got off to a lethargic start, losing the first set of the season by a score of 18-25 to the Ravens. However, the Purple and Gold wasted no time in responding and bounced back to win the next three straight sets by scores of 25-18, 25-12 and 25-23 for a four-set, 3-1 victory.

The Yellow Jackets were in a groove by the time the second match of the evening against Franklin arrived. Defiance wasted little time of taking care of business and won in straight sets by scores of 25-21, 25-14 and 25-16.

Leading the DC attack on the evening were juniors Alexis Pierce and Chelsea Ludeman. Pierce registered double digits in kills and blocks against Anderson with 15 and 10, marking the third time in the junior's career she has achieved this feat. Pierce finished the night with 22 kills and 14 blocks. Ludeman aided Pierce with a solid performance of her own, chipping in 17 kills and 11 blocks between the two matches.

Sophomore standout Alicia Kalik started her season off on a good note, as the South Lyon native totaled 54 assists and five aces between the two matches. Another notable performer for the Yellow Jackets was senior Lindsay McDaniel, who recorded 35 digs against the two HCAC opponents.

The Purple and Gold is back in action on Saturday for the second and final day of the 2012 Green Hornet Invitational. The Jackets are scheduled to play the hosts Kalamazoo at 11 a.m. and Olivet at 3 p.m.