Jackets Take Second at UC Santa Cruz Tournament

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Defiance College took down West Coast Baptist in four sets to advance to the championship match against UC Santa Cruz on Saturday night at the UCSC Tournament. The Jackets won the first two sets but eventually fell in five to UCSC in the title match.

DC started the night by notching its third-straight win and making quick work of West Coast Baptist. The Jackets scored the 25-16, 25-15, 24-26, 25-4 win behind yet another dominant effort from Sara Porter, who posted 14 kills in only 20 swings.

In the championship match, Defiance and UC Santa Cruz squared off in a battle between the only two remaining unbeaten teams in the tournament field. The Jackets looked good early behind 25-23 and 25-13 victories, but the host squad rallied to take the championship with 25-19, 25-20 and 15-8 wins in the final three sets.

Chelsea Ludeman turned in 16 kills, a .466 hitting percentage and eight blocks to join Rolander's nine kills and 10 blocks in leading the Jackets. Porter stuffed the stat sheet once again with 18 digs, five aces, four kills and three blocks, while Heather Bradshaw chipped in 16 digs.

Defiance (7-11, 0-1 HCAC) will now return from the west coast trip to host Earlham (3-12, 0-1 HCAC) on Wednesday in the first-ever Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference clash between the two programs. The important league match is slated to begin at 7:00 pm.