DC Splits Matches At Franklin

FRANKLIN, IND. -- The Defiance College volleyball team lost a five-set heartbreaker to the Franklin (Ind.) College Grizzles in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference match, but rebounded with a sweep of Kenyon College in Franklin, Ind.

DC opened the day by winning the first two sets against the Grizzles, 25-19 and 25-19. The Grizzlies rallied to win the following three sets, 25-18,  25-22 and 19-17 to take the conference victory in a five-set thriller.

The DC offense was led by freshman Emma Seitz (Toledo/Central Catholic) who finished the match with 16 kills. Junior Meredith Shank (Maumee/Springfield) added 13 kills, while sophomore Brooke Plummer (Plain City/Jonothan Alder) had 11 spikes and sophomore Marissa Windau (Castalia/Margaretta) added ten kills. Senior setter Ari Mahaffey (Porter, Ind./Chesterton) finished the match with a career-high 57 assists despite the loss.

On the defensive side, Makayla Dennis broke her own school-record with 43 digs, breaking the record she broke just over a week ago at Anderson (Ind.). Mahaffey added 13 digs, while freshman Abigail Cronin (Lambertville, Mich./Cardinall Stritch Catholic) had 12 and senior Dia Jackson (Detroit, Mich./Canton) finished with 10 digs. Seitz and Windau tied for the team lead in blocks with three apiece.

The Yellow Jackets fared much better in the nightcap, as DC swept Kenyon College, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-20.

Windau and Shank led the Yellow Jacket offense with nine kills apiece, while freshman Jessica Davis (Delta) chipped in with eight kills. Mahaffey added 29 assists for the Yellow Jackets. Dennis led the way on the defensive end with 15 digs.

The Yellow Jackets will wrap up the regular season on Sunday, Nov. 30 as they return home to take on Hanover (Ind.) College in a HCAC matchup. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m. at the Karl H. Weaner Center.