Yellow Jackets Drop Five Set Thriller at Anderson

ANDERSON, IND. - The Defiance College volleyball team dropped a five set thriller at Anderson on Wednesday evening in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action falling 22-25, 19-25, 25-16, 25-20, 11-15.

Defiance (4-18 overall, 2-6 HCAC) was led on the day by sophomore Morgan Porter (Defiance) with a game-high 23 digs, while freshman Brianna Wheeler (Sturgis, Mich.) chipped in 22 assists for the Purple and Gold.

In the opening set, Defiance fell behind early and looked to erase a nine point deficit pulling within 23-19 following a service ace by junior Abigail Cronin (Lambertville, Mich./Cardinal Stritch Catholic). DC continued to charge as a pair of Anderson miscues cut the deficit to 24-22 before the Ravens sealed the set on the following serve.

Anderson would go on to win set two 25-16 before the Yellow Jacket offense came alive surging ahead in set three, 12-7, off the serve of freshman Jamie DeTro (Angola, Ind./Prairie Heights). The Purple and Gold continued its offensive explosion as it rattled off three straight points following kills by freshman Abigail Kennedy (Harrod/ Allen East) and senior Marissa Windau (Castalia/Margaretta), 17-10. However, Anderson looked to rally using a run of its own to pull within 24-16 before a kill by freshman Mackenzie Benham (Marshall, Mich.) sealed the victory, 25-16.

DC carried the momentum into the fourth set as it jumped ahead 4-1 off an Anderson miscue. The Yellow Jackets continued to roll scoring five straight points late in the set led by freshman Alexis Kiessling (Defiance) to push the advantage to 20-16. Defiance continued to dominate behind the service line as Wheeler landed a service ace en route to the match tying set, 25-20.

However, Anderson deemed to much in the final set as they capitalized on a DC miscue to claim the 9-7 advantage. The Ravens never looked back landing back-to-back kills to secure the set five and match victory. 

Defiance wraps up regular season action on Saturday, October 27 as they welcome Rose-Hulman and Kenyon to the Karl H. Weaner Center.