ADA, Ohio – The Defiance College volleyball team slipped in its opening match of the season, 3-1 (19-25, 26-24, 25-16, 26-24), to Ohio Northern University on day one of the ONU Invitational.  

Leading the Jackets offensively was senior middle blocker Marlea Rolander. Rolander ended the match with eight kills from 16 attacks and added three total blocks. Sophomore right-side hitter Chelsea Ludeman also added eight kills to the effort. Directing the Defiance offense was freshman setter Alicia Kalik, who ended the game with 24 assists.

Defensively, the Jackets were paced by freshman Jill Forbear-Turner’s 15 digs. Senior middle blocker Jessica Tietje chipped in with eight digs.

In the second game of the evening, the Yellow Jackets fell against Carnegie Mellon University, 3-1 (25-19, 17-25, 17-25, 18-25).

Ludeman set the tone offensively with seven kills. Kalik again led the team in assists with 23, while freshman Stephanie Wilson led the squad with 11 digs. Ludeman and Rolander each had two blocks for the Jackets.

Defiance will take the court on Saturday, September 3, when it takes part in day two of the ONU Invitational. The Yellow Jackets will play No. 12 Heidelberg in the opening game at 10:00 am, and will then move on to face Thiel in the final game at 2:00 pm.

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