The Yellow Jackets Stifle Earlham

DEFIANCE, OHIO - The Defiance College volleyball team came out red hot on Dick Ooten Day defeating Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opponent Earlham, 3-1 (25-11, 18-25, 25-17, 25-15) on Wednesday evening at the Karl H. Weaner Center. 

The Purple and Gold (4-14 overall, 2-2 HCAC) tallied 44 kills on 127 attempts for a game-high .268 hitting percentage. DC also dished out a game-high 44 assists and 71 digs, led by freshman Brianna Wheeler (Sturgis, Mich.). Wheeler recorded a career-high 21 assists to pace the way for Defiance.

Freshman Delaney Monnin (Defiance/Tinora) added 13 kills, while HCAC Player of the Week, sophomore Morgan Porter (Defiance), recorded 29 digs.

The two teams exchanged points early in set one before back-to-back kills by freshman Abigail Kennedy (Harrod/Allen East) and junior Jessi Davis (Delta) put DC on top 7-4. The Yellow Jackets continued to bring the pain as they scored four straight points off the service of Porter, 11-4. Earlham looked to break the momentum but Defiance kept attacking as a swarm of Yellow Jackets attacked the Quakers to blow the set wide open, 17-5. DC never looked back as a kill by Kennedy sealed the set one victory, 25-11.

However, the Quakers went to work early in set two scoring the first four points before an EC miscue broke the rhythm. Dc captalized as a kill by senior Marissa Windau (Castalia/Margaretta) pulled Defiance within 11-9. But again, Earlham surged ahead using a series of three point runs to push the advantage to 17-10. The Purple and Gold looked to battle back but the Quakers held strong scoring the sets final point to even the contest a 1-1.

In the third set, Defiance found themselves trailing early once more before another kill by Kennedy gave DC the 5-4 lead. This was just the momentum the Yellow Jackets needed as they rattled off five straight points following kills by Davis and Monnin, 12-8. The sting didn't stop their as Defiance buzzed ahead 18-10 with a kill by junior Emma Seitz (Toledo/Central Catholic). The Purple and Gold would go on to win the set after an EC miscue, 25-17.

After surrendering the first point in the final set, Defiance never looked back getting contributions from all across the front line pushing ahead 14-7. Monnin continued to have a dominate night as she connected for another thunderous kill that gave DC the 19-12 lead before a service ace by freshman Abigail Cronin (Lambertville, Mich./Cardinal Stritch Catholic) extended the lead 21-12. Defiance would once again secure the set and match point off another EC miscue.

With the win, head coach Brie Brenner pulls within seven wins of her 100th career coaching victory.

The Purple and Gold return to action on Saturday, October 6 as they travel to Mt. St. Joseph. Match time is set for 2:00 p.m.