Yellow Jackets Swarm Spartans

NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. - The Defiance College Yellow Jackets swarmed the Spartans in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action on Wednesday evening in straight sets (27-25, 26-24, 27-25).

The Purple and Gold (4-17 overall, 2-5 HCAC) were led by freshman Abigail Kennedy (Harrod/Allen East) with a team-best eight kills, while junior Jessi Davis (Delta) added seven kills.

The two teams exchanged points for much of set one before Manchester surged ahead 7-4 scoring three straight points. However, the Yellow Jackets responded with a rally of their own scoring four straight points to capture the 12-10 advantage. The Spartans and Purple and Gold continued in a back-and-forth battle as a kill by freshman Delaney Monnin (Defiance/Tinora) gave DC the slight edge, 24-23. Defiance would eventually secure the set one victory following a pair of Manchester miscues, 27-25.

In set two, Manchester charged ahead early leading for much of the set before DC came swarming back pulling within 15-12 off a service ace by senior Marissa Windau (Castalia/Margaretta). The Purple and Gold continued to chip at the Spartan lead as a kill by senior Brooke Plummer (Plain City/Jonathan Alder) and a Manchester miscue pulled Defiance within 20-18. DC would tie the match moments later off the attack of freshman Cassidy Posey (Paulding), 23-23. Posey continued to dominate late in the set as a kill off the assist of freshman Jamie DeTro (Angola, Ind./Prairie Heights) sealed the set two victory, 26-24.

The Yellow Jackets dominated set three early as freshman Brianna Wheeler (Sturgis, Mich.) connected for a service ace that gave DC the 4-2 lead. But the Spartans again charged back rattling off four straight points to take the 6-5 advantage. They would continue to exchange points before a late rally led by Kennedy put Defiance on top 13-10. The Defiance defense stepped up late in the set as Plummer and Posey posted a momentum shifting block that put DC on top 19-17. The Yellow Jackets continued to buzz as Davis sealed the match and set victory off an assist by DeTro.

Defiance returns to action on Wednesday, October 24 as they travel to Anderson. Serve time is set for 7:00 p.m.