Jackets Split Pair of Matches on Second Day of Invitational

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The second day of the 2010 DC Invitational went to same as the first for the Defiance College volleyball team, as the Yellow Jackets fell in the opener before sweeping Marygrove to complete the tournament.

The afternoon started with DC taking on the unbeaten IU-East squad with first place in the pool up for grabs. The Jackets started quickly, hitting .310 as a team in the opening set and scoring the 25-20 victory.

IU-East would gradually take control of the match however, hitting .348 over the final three sets and winning them 25-20, 25-20, 25-15 to climb to 14-0 on the season and clinch an unblemished mark in pool play.

Chelsea Ludeman posted her first collegiate double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs in the loss, while Ashlyn Howell was equally impressive with 10 kills and eight digs. Sara Porter made her return to the lineup to log 18 digs, seven kills and an ace and Heather Bradshaw added 13 digs.

The day ended on a high note, with DC rolling past Marygrove in straight sets. The match lasted only 55 minutes, as the Jackets hit .262 as a team in the 25-15, 25-14, 25-5 victory.

Meghan Hinds paced a diverse Defiance offense with seven kills in only 14 swings and Jessica Tietje added seven kills to go with five blocks. Marlea Rolander also played well, turning in five kills and four blocks in limited action.

Ludeman shined brightly in her first collegiate home matches, as the freshman outside hitter tallied 45 kills, 30 digs and two aces during the DC Invitational to earn a spot on the Scotty's Club 111 All-Tournament Team.

Ludeman was joined on the squad by Nikki Hughes of Siena Heights, Stacie Hoffman of Manchester, Jalissa Favors of Marygrove, Ashley Hart of Concordia, Hannah Thompson and Alexandra Blazevich of Lourdes and Paige Lay, Lauren Crump and tournament MVP, Allison Nicley, of IU-East.

Defiance stands at 2-6 after the DC Invitational and will travel to Tiffin, Ohio, to play No. 21 Heidelberg on Tuesday at 7:00 pm. The contest will mark DC's third clash with a nationally-ranked foe this season.