DC Volleyball Opens California Stint with Two Wins

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – For the first time in the 2010 season, the Defiance College volleyball team won back-to-back matches, as the Yellow Jackets got past Concordia and Simpson on Friday on the opening day of the UC Santa Cruz Tournament.

DC started the day with an afternoon clash against Concordia and rebounded from a 23-25 loss in the opening set to win the next three by the same margin. Chelsea Ludeman turned in her second collegiate double-double and one of her finest outings yet with 18 kills and 10 digs to lead the way, while Sara Porter was right behind with 16 kills and nine digs in the victory.

In the second match of the day, Defiance pulled out a 25-19, 25-13, 19-25, 18-25, 21-19 win over Simpson. Porter stayed hot with 16 kills and 14 digs, while Marlea Rolander added 12 kills to go with five blocks and Ludeman swatted 11 more kills. Kelsey Ferguson and Julie Brunsman combined for 39 assists and Heather Bradshaw tacked on 10 digs.

Defiance (6-10, 0-1 HCAC) will play two more times on Saturday, when it takes on West Coast Baptist at 8:00 pm and UC Santa Cruz at 10:00 pm in Eastern Standard Time.