Three Set Rally Launches Volleyball to HCAC Victory

FRANKLIN, Ind. - A thrilling evening at Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Franklin College saw Defiance volleyball launch past the hosts with a three set rally Friday evening. The Yellow Jackets fought back to claim a massive HCAC victory, 3-2 (20-25, 19-25, 25-23, 25-14, 15-9). 

A strong start from the hosts saw the Grizzlies jump out to a two set lead before Defiance looked to mount the comeback. Knotted at 23-23, a pair of Mackenzie Benham (Marshall, Mich. / Marshall) kills brought DC back into the contest. 

With momentum on their side, Defiance flew to a 25-14 fourth set win to force a crucial fifth set in the Friday night affair. 

With a five point advantage, DC needed just four points to pull out the road win. Three kills from Emma Seitz (Toledo / Central Catholic) pushed the Yellow Jackets to the 15-9 fifth set scoreline. 

On the attack, Delaney Monnin (Defiance / Tinora) continued her stretch of impressive performances with a 14 kill outing. Seitz closely followed the sophomore with 13 kills of her own. 

Defensively, Morgan Porter (Defiance / Defiance) led the Purple and Gold with 27 digs in her five sets of action. Also reaching double-digit digs in the affair were Brianna Wheeler (Sturgis, Mich. / Sturgis) and Benham with 12 and 13 respectively.

With the victory, Defiance improves to 14-9 on the season and a 2-3 mark in the HCAC. DC will return to action Wednesday, October 23, as they begin a three match home-stand. The Wednesday night match will see Anderson visit the Karl H. Weaner Center at 7:00 pm.